Controllable synthesis of SnO2 photocatalyst with superior photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methylene blue dye solution. Issue 14 (21st September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Prakash, K.; Senthil Kumar, P.; Pandiaraj, S.; Saravanakumar, K.; Karuthapandian, S.
• Is Part Of: Journal of experimental nanoscience. Volume 11:Issue 14(2016)
• Page Start: 1138
• Page End: 1155
• Publication Date: 2016-09-21
• Subjects: Porous -- photocatalyst -- SnO2 -- methylene blue -- degradation; Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanomedicine -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; 620.5
• DOI: 10.1080/17458080.2016.1188222
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1745-8080

Abstract

ABSTRACT: SnO2 photocatalyst was successfully synthesised by novel chemical route in hydrothermal environment and annealed at two different temperatures viz 550 and 600 °C, respectively. The crystal structure, optical properties, surface and bulk morphology have been characterised using various tools like X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscope (TEM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Cubic, spheres and porous like morphology of SnO2 photocatalyst was successfully confirmed using SEM micrographs and TEM. In addition to this the photocatalytic activity was evaluated towards the degradation of methylene blue dye solution. SnO2 photocatalyst annealed at 600 °C exhibits excellent photocatalytic efficiency which may be attributed to the unique morphology, high crystalline nature and charge separation. The photocatalyst efficiency was further tested towards the concentration of dye, catalyst dosage and pH of the dye. The involvement of OH in the photocatalytic reaction was evidenced using trapping experiment by employing different scavengers. The photocatalyst was moderately active, stable upto its fifth usage and stability of the photocatalyst before and after the photocatalytic reaction was also been studied using XRD and SEM.