Novel photocatalytic coatings based on tin oxide semiconductor

In this research, pure SnO2 was deposited on 316 stainless steel plates using air plasma spraying. Micrograph and phase composition of the deposited films were studied using SEM and X-ray diffraction, respectively; and methylene blue solution was used to evaluate the activity of the deposited photocatalytic coatings. It was shown that air plasma spraying could be used as an efficient method to deposit pure SnO2 photocatalytic coatings. UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra analysis showed higher photo-absorption ability of the deposited films as compared to the initial powder. Although all the tin oxide coatings had lower band gap energy than the initial powder, further studies are needed to deposit SnO2 films, which can act as photocatalytic coatings under visible light irradiation. Comparison of the photocatalytic activity of tin oxide coatings with that of ZnO film showed the adequate activity of tin oxide coatings deposited by air plasma spraying.