The microwave synthesis was used to fabricate the La0.02Na0.98TaO3 photocalyst. Using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), we have investigated phase formation and crystal morphology of La0.02Na0.98TaO3 powders prepared by microwave heating. The grains with an average size of 63nm were easily obtained due to the fast reaction under microwave irradiation. The as-prepared La0.02Na0.98TaO3 powders have high photocatalytic activities for water splitting owing to good crystallinity and high surface area compared to traditional La0.02Na0.98TaO3 powders. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.