Synthesis of SnS2/WO3 nanocomposite with enhanced photocatalytic activity

SnS2/WO3 nanocomposite was synthesized via hydrothermal treatment of tin(IV) chloride pentahydrate, thioacetamide and WO3 nanoplates in deionized water at 160 degrees C for 6 h. The structure, composition, BET specific surface area and optical property of the as-synthesized SnS2/WO3 nanocomposite were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, N-2 adsorption and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra. The photocatalytic activity of the as-synthesized SnS2/WO3 nanocomposite was tested in the reduction of aqueous Cr6+ under visible-light (lambda > 420 nm) irradiation, and compared with those of SnS2 nanoparticles and WO3 nanoplates. It was observed that the as-synthesized SnS2/WO3 nanocomposite exhibited higher visible-light-activated photocatalytic activity than SnS2 nanoparticles and WO3 nanoplates. The reasons accounting for the photocatalytic results were also discussed. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.