Synthesis of tantalum pentoxide hollow spheres utilizing a sacrificial templating approach

摘要

A hydrothermal route to synthesize tantalum pentoxide (Ta_2O_5) hollow spheres (TPHSs) using tantalum pentaethoxide (Ta(OET)_5) as the oxide precursor and glucose-derived carbonaceous spheres (CSs) as the sacrificial templates have been described. The carbonaceous spheres (CSs) were first prepared by hydrothermal carbonization of glucose, then a controlled coating of the template surface by Ta_2O_5 nanoparticles via the hydrolyzing of tantalum pentaethoxide at ambient temperature was implemented. Subsequent removal of the interior carbonaceous cores by pyrolytic treatment through oxidation in air produces freestanding TPHSs. The obtained TPHSs were characterized by means of SEM, TEM, XRD, and IR spectroscopy.