Facile biosynthesis of SnO2/ZnO nanocomposite using Acroptilon repens flower extract and evaluation of their photocatalytic activity

In this study, tin dioxide/zinc oxide nanocomposite (SnO2/ZnO) was synthesize using Acroptilon repens flower extract as a natural reducing and stabilizing agent. Structure properties and morphology of the fabricated nanocomposite was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results indicated that the fine nanoparticles with an acceptable particle size distribution and purity were achieved using this green method. In addition, the performance of the photocatalytic degradation of an organic dye, namely, eriochrome black T (EBT) by using the synthesized composite was examined. The results showed a high capability of this nanocomposite to degrade this organic dye in an aqueous solution with the degradation efficiency and total organic carbon (TOC) removal percentage being more than 98% and 74%, respectively, after 3 h of photocatalytic reaction under sunlight.

Automated summary

In this study, a tin dioxide/zinc oxide nanocomposite (SnO2/ZnO) was successfully synthesized using Acroptilon repens flower extract as a natural reducing and stabilizing agent, demonstrating high efficiency in photocatalytic degradation of eriochrome black T (EBT). The nanocomposite exhibited fine nanoparticles with acceptable particle size distribution and purity. After 3 hours of photocatalytic reaction under sunlight, the degradation efficiency and total organic carbon (TOC) removal percentage of EBT exceeded 98% and 74%, respectively.