Investigation on photocatalytic potential of Au–Ta2O5 semiconductor nanoparticle by degrading Methyl Orange in aqueous solution by illuminating with visible light

Abstract

A semiconductor photocatalytic process has shown great potential as a low cost, environmentally friendly and sustainable treatment technology for the treatment of wastewater. Hence, a wide band gap Ta₂O₅ semiconductor nanoparticle was prepared by the hydrothermal method and considerable efforts have been taken to narrow the band gap, i.e., the surface modification has been done with a noble metal (Au⁰) by a deposition precipitation method. As synthesized, Au–Ta₂O₅ semiconductor was well characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photo electron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and diffused reflectance UV-vis spectroscopy (DRS). The photocatalytic potential of Au–Ta₂O₅ semiconductor was investigated by degrading Methyl Orange in the presence and absence of electron acceptors by illuminating with visible light of intensity 80 600 ± 10 Lux.