Ta2O5 nanobars and their composites: synthesis and characterization

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Solid State Chemistry

Background:

• Tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5) is a material with significant potential in various technological applications.
• Developing efficient synthesis methods for nanostructured Ta2O5 is crucial for enhancing its properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize novel Ta2O5 nanobars anchored on carbon spheres.
• To characterize the structural and optical properties of the synthesized Ta2O5 nanobars and Ta2O5/C nanobar-composites.
• To evaluate the potential applications of Ta2O5 nanobars in optical devices.

Main Methods:

• One-step synthesis via Reaction Under Autogenic Pressure at Elevated Temperature (RAPET) of pentaethoxy tantalate (Ta(OEt)5).
• Thermal decomposition at 800°C followed by annealing at 500°C in air to remove carbon spheres.
• Characterization using electron microscopy (SEM, TEM, HRTEM, SAEDS, EA, EDX) and Powder-X-ray Diffraction (XRD).
• Optical properties determined by UV-vis absorption spectrometry and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy.

Main Results:

• Successfully synthesized Ta2O5 nanobars anchored on carbon spheres and neat Ta2O5 nanobars.
• Characterization confirmed the formation of Ta2O5 nanobars with particle sizes observed on 40-60 nm carbon spheres via TEM.
• Optical analysis revealed band gaps of 4.7 eV (265 nm) for Ta2O5/C and 4.8 eV (260 nm) for neat Ta2O5 nanobars.
• Photoluminescence (PL) bands were observed for both Ta2O5/C nanobar-composite and Ta2O5 nanobars.

Conclusions:

• The RAPET method provides an effective route for synthesizing Ta2O5 nanobars.
• The synthesized Ta2O5 nanobars exhibit favorable optical properties.
• Ta2O5 nanobars demonstrate significant potential for use in optical device applications.