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Water splitting is an important method for hydrogen production. Notably, tantalum oxide has the potential to employ extensive variety appliances because of its outstanding electrical and optical properties. Tantalum pentoxide (Ta 2 O 5) nanopowders were produced using the sol–gel process. The effect of calcination time plays a main role on Ta 2 O 5 crystal structure configuration. Transmission electron microscope images explored obtained Ta 2 O 5 nanorod formation and investigated by electrochemical studies for its use in electrochemical water-splitting applications. The calculated specific capacitance values of Ta 2 O 5 electrodes at different temperature conditions were 146.4, 191.7, and 221.7 F/g. Fabricated Ta 2 O 5 electrodes showed overpotential of 304, 278, and 267 mV. Current densities of Ta 2 O 5 electrodes at different calcinations times were 353, 419, and 461 mA/g. Ta 2 O 5 powder calcined for 6 h revealed high specific capacitance and low overpotential, indicating better electrochemical reactivity suitable for water oxidation applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ni–Zn ferrites exhibit properties like high resistivity, high Curie temperature, and low relative loss. In this paper, the impact of the small doping of Europium on structural, magnetic and optical properties of Ni–Zn ferrites has been investigated. The samples were prepared through the Sol-Gel method and grounded powders were calcined at 500 °C for 4hrs. Cubic crystalline structure with Fd-3m space group was confirmed for all ferrites by XRD and Ritveld refinement. Surface morphology of the samples was revealed by SEM. The cation distribution and crystal deformation were observed from Raman spectra with increasing Eu3+ ions content. The band gap energy values were calculated from UV–Visible spectra which are in the order of 1.6 eV and these values were directly proportional to the lattice constant. Room temperature magnetic properties were studied and the variation in the properties with the doping was discussed. From magnetic properties of Eu doped Ni–Zn ferrites it was found that these are suitable for core material in transformers and in power transmission. XRD patterns of the Eu doped Ni–Zn Ferrites. [Display omitted] • Nanoparticles of Eu doped Ni–Zn Ferrites were prepared at low temperatures. • (500 °C) through Sol-Gel method. • Band gap energy of 1.6 eV has been obtained in these samples and those are used as a semiconducting material. • FTIR data confirmed the cubic spinel structure of the materials of the present investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]