Hetero intimate interface CN/Fe–SnO2 micro flowers towards superior photocatalytic applications

Abstract

In this report, novel Fe doped SnO2/g-C3N4 hetero intimate interface (CN/Fe–SnO2) micro flowers were prepared successfully using the optimized amounts of g-C3N4 and Fe–SnO2 as precursor material and DMSO-DD water (1:10) mixture exploit as a solvent by the conventional hydrothermal way. The physiochemical features of developed nanomaterials were characterized by various analytical methods. It was found that the crystalline structure of SnO2 was maintained even after doping of iron, as disclosed by XRD, and also signifies the distortion of g-C3N4 after the hydrothermal method. According to XRD results, the crystal system of pure SnO2 proved as tetragonal. Instead of small ionic radius Sn4+, high ionic radius Fe2+ was substituted, the volume of the unit cell was slightly developed and the XRD pattern also becomes wide because of the strain impact. From FESEM and HRTEM results, we can observe flower-like g-C3N4 nanosheets tightly sandwiched with Fe doped SnO2 (CN/Fe–SnO2). Morphology plays a crucial role because its layered structure provides more active sites and light-harvesting capability due to multiple internal reflections and interface charge separations. Moreover, the Fe doping overhauls the energy band structure and affords the Z-scheme electron conduction mechanism of CN/Fe–SnO2 heterojunction. The prepared CN/Fe–SnO2 micro flowers are more desirable for application in photocatalytic water splitting hydrogen production and Methylene blue (MB) dye degradation, through this nanocomposite we have achieved 933μmole/2 h hydrogen production and 97% of Methylene blue (MB) dye degradation.