Hydrothermal synthesis of SnO2 nanoparticles and its photocatalytic degradation of methyl violet and electrochemical performance

Abstract

Quality SnO2 nanoparticles were synthesized through hydrothermal process using Tin(IV) chloride pentahydrate (SnCl4.5H2O) and Sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by x-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM), energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry (EDX), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Ultra violet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–vis DRS) and photoluminescence (PL). The band gap energy (Eg) of the synthesized SnO2 nanoparticles were significantly blue shifted. An enhanced PL emission of SnO2 nanoparticles at 300 nm excitation exhibited emission at 327, 386, 451, 467 and 500 nm, respectively. Furthermore, photocatalytic activity of synthesized SnO2 nanoparticles were studied by degrading methyl violet dye under sunlight irradiation for a time of 120 min. Additionally, electrochemical performance of the SnO2 nanoparticles were investigated, which gave a capacitance value of 87 F g−1. The SnO2 nanoparticles had potential application as photocatalyst and electrochemical performances.