Green synthesis of SnO2 NPs for solar light induced photocatalytic applications

The present work emphasis on the eco-friendly and inexpensive approach for the synthesis of SnO2 NPs using pomegranate (Punica Granatum) leaves. The as-synthesized SnO2 NPs were confirmed by various electron and spectroscopic characterization techniques. FTIR study confirms the strong reducing and capping potential of SnO2 NPs by biomolecules present in the plant extract. The successfully synthesized SnO2 NPs with a particle size of 20 nm were used as an efficient photocatalyst for the photo degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye under direct sunlight. The degradation efficiency was calculated to be 91.5% at 240 min with the rate constant of 6.86 x 10(-3) min(-1).