Synthesis of meso-porous α-Ga(2)O(3) from liquid Ga metal having significantly high photocatalytic activity for CO(2) reduction with water

We have succeeded in synthesizing meso-porous α-Ga(2)O(3) which shows significantly high photocatalytic activity for CO(2) reduction with water. The sample was synthesized by hydroxidation of liquid Ga metal in water to obtain GaOOH and Ga(OH)(3), followed by the calcination of the mixed hydroxides at 773 K for 1 hour which converted them to meso-porous α-Ga(2)O(3). The nano-pores remained as the trace of the evaporation of water produced by the oxidation of the hydroxides during the calcination. The photocatalytic activity of the synthesized meso-porous α-Ga(2)O(3) for CO(2) reduction with water was as high as or higher than previous studies using various types of Ga(2)O(3) with and without cocatalysts.