Synthesis of meso-porous α-Ga2O3 from liquid Ga metal having significantly high photocatalytic activity for CO2 reduction with water

Abstract

We have succeeded in synthesizing meso-porous α-Ga₂O₃ which shows significantly high photocatalytic activity for CO₂ reduction with water. The sample was synthesized by hydroxidation of liquid Ga metal in water to obtain GaOOH and Ga(OH)₃, followed by the calcination of the mixed hydroxides at 773 K for 1 hour which converted them to meso-porous α-Ga₂O₃. The nano-pores remained as the trace of the evaporation of water produced by the oxidation of the hydroxides during the calcination. The photocatalytic activity of the synthesized meso-porous α-Ga₂O₃ for CO₂ reduction with water was as high as or higher than previous studies using various types of Ga₂O₃ with and without cocatalysts.