Abstract
A series of cobalt ions doped NaTaO3 photocatalysts are prepared. XRD patterns confirmed the doping of cobalt ions lead to NaTaO3 cell expansion. UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra clearly displayed the red-shift in the series of cobalt doped NaTaO3 catalysts, indicating a decrease in the band gap of NaTaO3 caused by the substitution of Co2+ ions at Ta5+ site. The red-shift increased with the increase of cobalt doping concentration in NaTaO3. Density functional calculations revealed that the narrowed band gap originated from an impurity level formed via cobalt ions replace tantalum ions in the NaTaO3 lattice.