Synthesis of tin phosphides (Sn4P3) and their high photocatalytic activities

Tin phosphides (Sn4P3) with different shapes were successfully synthesized via a solvothermal method, using N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) as solvent in the presence of NaBH4. The phases and morphologies of the products were characterized by means of X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was found that the sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) played an important role in the formation of Sn4P3 with different shapes. Furthermore, research also showed that both of the as-prepared Sn4P3 catalysts could photocatalytically degrade some typical organic dyes such as Safranine T, Methylene Blue, Methyl Orange and Pyronine B. In order to investigate the correlation between properties and shapes, the photocatalytic degradation abilities and selectivities of two different phosphides for organic dyes were discussed.