Photocatalytic activity and intercalation of layered perovskite-like tantalates ANdTa2O7 (A = H,Li, Na,K, Rb,Cs)

Layered perovskite-like oxides ANdTa₂O₇ (A = H, Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs) were synthesized and characterized by means of diffuse reflection spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, and simultaneous thermal and X-ray phase analysis. Comparative analysis of the photocatalytic activity of ANdTa₂O₇ in the UV-induced hydrogen evolution from an aqueous isopropanol solution was performed. NaNdTa₂O₇ and HNdTa₂O₇ are able to intercalate water to the interlayer space. The compositions and thermal stability ranges of intercalates were determined. No explicit correlation between the photocatalytic activity of layered oxides and their ability to intercalate water to the interlayer space was found.