Synthesis and characterization of a novel SnO/SnO2 hybrid photocatalyst

Nanostructured SnO/SnO2 hybrid material was successfully synthesized by microwave irradiation method. X-ray diffraction spectroscopy shows the formation of SnO/SnO2 nanocomposite material. Nanosphere morphology of the nanocomposite was observed by scanning electron microscopy. UV evisible diffuse reflectance spectra demonstrate that the light absorption capacity of SnO/SnO2 nanocomposite was extended to the visible region. The photocatalytic activity of SnO/SnO2 nanocomposite was investigated by the degradation of methylene blue under UV light irradiation. The effect of SnO/SnO2 nanocomposite dose, dye concentration, pH and irradiation time for photodegradation of methylene blue dye was also studied. SnO/SnO2 nanocomposite exhibits higher photocatalytic activity in neutral pH. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.