Self-assembled hierarchical Sn3O4-multi-wall carbon nanotubes: Facile fabrication, promoted charge separation, and enhanced photocatalytic performances

Abstract

Controlled assembling of Sn3O4 nanoflakes over multi-wall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was achieved for the first time by using a facile hydrothermal method. The SEM and TEM images showed that numerous Sn3O4 nanoflakes were widely assembled over the surface of CNTs. In these hybrids, the CNTs served as dispersing-template could reduce the agglomeration of Sn3O4 nanoflakes, as well as facilitate the interfacial charge transfer because of its high electrical conductivity. The Sn3O4-CNTs photocatalysts have exhibited remarkably promoted performances in decomposing organic contaminant under visible or solar light. The Sn3O4-CNTs hybrid with CNTs mass ratio of 4.37% exhibited the best activity under visible light, while that with CNTs mass ratio of 1.41% was more efficient when irradiated by solar light, the activity of which was about 3.47 times higher than that of pristine Sn3O4 under identical conditions. Controlled experiments proved that O2− and h+ played the chief role in decomposing organic pollutants.