Ta2O5 NTs-TiO2 nanodots heterostructure photocatalyst material for enhanced photodegradation and photoelectrochemical performance under simulated solar light

Ta 2 O 5 -TiO 2 heterojunction photocatalysts with a structure of TiO 2 nanodots deposited on Ta 2 O 5 nanotube (NTs) were prepared by anodization and in situ growth methods following annealing treatment. The heterojunction photocatalytic material exhibited enhanced photodegradation behavior of methylene blue (MB) and photoelectrochemical water splitting performance under simulated solar light. The degradation rate of MB and photocurrent density of heterojunction is 3.99 and 8.33 times higher than that of pure Ta 2 O 5 NTs respectively. The synergetic effect of the phase heterojunction and highly ordered structure increased the specific surface area and improved the separation and transmission efficiency of photogenerated electrons and holes, thereby enhancing the photocatalytic activities. Hence, Ta 2 O 5 TNs-TiO 2 nanodots heterojunction has promising application in the fields of photodegradation, photoelectrochemical water splitting, solar cells, and other photocatalytic devices. Graphical abstract The heterojunction photocatalytic material exhibits enhanced photodegradation behavior of methylene blue (MB) and photoelectrochemical water splitting performance under simulated solar light. The degradation rate of MB is 3.17and 3.99 times higher than that of pure TiO 2 NTs and Ta 2 O 5 NTs, respectively; the photocurrent density increases by 8.33 times and 1.6 times compared with pure Ta 2 O 5 NTs and TiO 2 , respectively.