Highly active carbon supported Sn/SnO2 photocatalysts for degrading organic dyes

Abstract

In this work, the heterostructure carbon supported tin/tin oxide (Sn/SnO2) photocatalysts has been developed. The target heterostructure was prepared by precipitation method followed by carbothermal reduction using tin tetrachloride (SnCl4) as precursor for SnO2, activated carbon as reducing agent, and ammonia solution as precipitating agent. The photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared photocatalysts was investigated by degrading methylene blue (MB) dye. The photocatalytic decomposition of methylene blue in solution under UV light irradiation revealed that the heterostructure Sn/SnO2 photocatalysts catalyst led to higher activities than pure SnO2. The suppression of charge separation in the heterostructure carbon supported Sn/SnO2 due to space charge region between SnO2 and Sn led to higher catalytic activity for the degradation of MB. The results also showed that the pH of solution had a direct influence on the photocatalysis process and neutral pH was favorable for the degradation of MB. In addition, the photocatalysts could be easily recycled without significant change in the catalytic activity which indicated the stability and reproducibility of the catalysts. The results suggested that the as-prepared carbon supported Sn/SnO2 can be applied as a promising photocatalyst for the treatment of wastewater containing organic pollutants.