Core–Shell‐Structured LaTaON2 Transformed from LaKNaTaO5 Plates for Enhanced Photocatalytic H2 Evolution

LaTaON₂ is a photocatalyst with intense visible light absorption up to 650 nm, but exhibits low H₂ evolution activity owing to uncontrolled facets and high defect densities. In this work, core–shell‐structured plate‐like LaKNaTaO₅/LaTaON₂ was synthesized by nitriding a layered perovskite‐type LaKNaTaO₅. The volatilization of K and Na species during the nitridation promoted the rapid transformation of LaKNaTaO₅ into LaTaON₂ along [010] direction with the plate‐like shape retained. This yielded high‐quality LaTaON₂ shells exposing (010) facets on the lattice‐matched LaKNaTaO₅ cores. After loading with a Rh co‐catalyst, LaKNaTaO₅/LaTaON₂ showed photocatalytic H₂ evolution activity four times greater than that obtained from conventional irregular‐shaped LaTaON₂ powders and utilized visible light up to 620 nm. This work provides a novel strategy yielding oxynitrides with well‐defined facets and low defect densities by selecting lattice‐matched oxide precursors containing volatile components.