Combustion synthesis of β-SnWO4-rGO: Anode material for Li-ion battery and photocatalytic dye degradation

Abstract

This article reports the synthesis β-SnWO4–rGO nanocomposite (NC) by a simple solution combustion method followed by low temperature hydrothermal method. The β-SnWO4–rGO NC has been characterized using various analytical tools such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM), Ultraviolet-Differential reflectance spectroscopy (UV-DRS). X-ray diffraction pattern shows the formation of cubic structured β-SnWO4 nanoparticles (NPs) and Raman spectrum shows the presence of rGO in the composite. Transmission Electron Microscopy image shows that SnWO4 NPs were embedded on the surface of rGO. β-SnWO4 NPs and β-SnWO4-rGO NC has been examined as an electrode material for Li-ion battery (LIB). β-SnWO4 NPs and β-SnWO4-rGO NC displays an initial discharge capacity of 1351 mAhg−1 and 1662 mAhg−1 which is about 23% increase in capacity. Electrochemical performance of β-SnWO4-rGO NC at different current densities proves that it is one of the good candidates as an electrode material for LIB. β-SnWO4-rGO NC shows enhanced photocatalytic activity against rose bengal (RB) and methylene blue (MB) compared to pure β-SnWO4 NPs.