Potassium tantalate (KTa5O13) microcones with a maximum diameter of about 47-85 mu m were prepared by anodic oxidation of tantalum in (15-20 M) KOH solutions at the temperature of 70 degrees C and applied voltage of 20 V for 3 h. Different factors affecting on the morphology of tantalum surface were discussed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD) were used to characterize the structure of the microcones. The photoelectrochemical properties were studied through electrochemical workstation. The experimental results indicate KTa5O13 microcones have a good performance in photoelectricity. The possible formation mechanism of as-prepared KTa5O13 microcones was also presented. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.