Nanocrystalline B/C/S-doped ZnO-SnO2 photocatalysts: Preparation, characterization and photocatalytic performance

Abstract

Boron (B), carbon (C) and sulphur (S) doped ZnO-SnO2 were successfully prepared by facile precipitation method. As prepared nanocomposite photocatalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectra, UV-diffuse reflectance spectra and BET surface area measurement. The photocatalytic activity of prepared nanocomposite photocatalysts was studied by degradation of methyl orange dye under natural sunlight irradiation. S-doped ZnO-SnO2 was found to be more efficient than that of B,C-doped ZnO-SnO2 and bare ZnO-SnO2 nanocomposites. The photocatalytic activity of prepared photocatalysts follows trend as: S-doped ZnO-SnO2 > C-doped ZnO-SnO2 > B-doped ZnO-SnO2 > pure ZnO-SnO2. The enhanced activity of prepared photocatalysts could be attributed to the high specific surface area and small particle size.