Enhanced activity of Tantalum (V) nitride nanoparticles for toluene decomposition under visible light irradiation

In this paper, Ta₃N₅ nanoparticles were newly prepared from TaN nanoparticles and the activity of the Ta₃N₅ nanoparticles was tested for toluene decomposition under visible light irradiation. The black TaN nanoparticle was prepared in the similar way to the synthesis of other metal nitrides using mesoporous carbon nitride as a template.Then, the TaN nanoparticles were oxidized partly at 873 K to obtain white amorphous tantalum oxide, followed by nitridation by ammonia gas at 973 K to obtain red Ta₃N₅ nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern confirmed the formation of Ta₃N₅ using this new method. Comparison with the conventional method to produce bulk Ta₃N₅ at 1123 K, the present method offered lower nitridation temperature.The diffuse reflectance visible light spectroscopy showed the characteristic absorption band of tantalum (V) nitride, supporting that the newly prepared material was Ta₃N₅.These results suggest that the Ta₃N₅ nanoparticles with high surface area were successfully prepared using the present method.