Photocatalytic activities of SnS thin films deposited at room temperature

Abstract

Tin monosulfide (SnS) thin films were deposited on glass substrates at room temperature utilising a simple, inexpensive, and modified chemical approach known as Successive Layer Adsorption and Reaction (SLAR). The properties of the films were thoroughly studied using an XRD, SEM, EDAX, and UV-VIS spectrophotometer. It was possible to deposite smooth, homogeneous, and uniform thin films with pollycrystalline nature, orthorombic structure, and UV-VIS absorption. Under visible light irradiation, SnS thin films demonstrated high photocatalytic degradation of Methylene Blue. It showed effective degradation of a common textile dye available in the marker as well. Dye degradation was found to be of first order, following the Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanism. Theoretical band structure calculations suggested that the relative positions of the highest valence band and lowest conduction band were 1.605 eV and -0.085 eV, respectively. The photocatalyst's reusability, the involvement of the hydroxyl radical in photodegradation, and the variation in photocatalytic performance of SnS thin films with dye solution pH and initial dye concentration were all examined. Changes in the cationic precursor's molarity caused changes in the thin film's crystallinity, stoichiometry, and bandgap. Non-stoichiometric films demonstrated higher photocatalytic activity.