Solution-phase growth of tin oxide (SnO2) nanostructures: Structural, optical and photocatalytic properties

Tin dioxide (SnO2) nanostructures have been synthesized successfully via solution phase growth technique. Effect of reaction temperature, time and surfactant on morphology, size and bandgap has been studied. The rods, flowers, and spheres like morphologies of SnO2 have been observed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Structural analysis of synthesized SnO2 has been carried out by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). XRD peaks revealed the tetragonal structure of SnO2 nanocrystals. The increase in grain size was observed with an increase in reaction time and reaction temperature of the synthesis process. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) has been employed to study the vibrational modes. Optical properties of the SnO2 nanostructures have also been studied by UV-vis spectroscopy. The energy bandgap of the as-prepared SnO2 nanocrystals were estimated between 3.76 eV and 4.05 eV. Photocatalytic activities of SnO2 nanostructures were studied on Rhodamine B (Rhd B) dye under solar light illumination. Approximately 91% degradation of Rhd B was observed with as-synthesized SnO2 nanostructures.