Abstract
Decoration of 2D semiconductor structures with heterogeneous metal quantum dots has attracted considerable attention due to advanced optical, electrical, and catalytic properties that result from the large surface-to-volume ratio associated with these structures. Herein, we report on silver quantum dot decorated 2D SnO2 nanoflakes for the photocatalytic abatement of water effluents, the synthesis of which was achieved through a straightforward and mild hydrothermal procedure. The photocatalysts were systematically investigated using UV–Vis, XRD, electron microscopy (SEM, HR-TEM), EDX, XPS and FTIR. The photocatalytic activity of the nanostructures was evaluated for the abatement of water pollutant rhodamine B (RhB), under light irradiation. The mild hydrothermal synthesis (100 °C) proved highly efficient for the production of large scale Ag quantum dot (QD)/SnO2 nanoflakes for a novel photocatalytic application. The decoration of SnO2 with Ag QDs significantly enhances the synergetic charge transfer, which diminishes the photo-induced electron-hole reunion. Moreover, the plasmonic effect from Ag QDs and 2D-SnO2 structures acts as an electron tank to collect the photo-induced electrons, generating a Schottky barrier between the SnO2 structures and quantum dots. Overall, this resulted in a facile and efficient degradation of RhB, with a rate double that of pristine SnO2.
Highlights
The preparation of heterostructured 2D-nanosized oxide materials with wide bandgaps has been an active area of research for the past three decades, as their structural shape and size influence their physical, chemical, optical, catalytic, and electronic properties [1,2,3,4]
It has been suggested that the doping of SnO2 with plasmonic noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) could overcome this limitation, as the combination of wide bandgap semiconductor nanostructures and plasmonic noble metals has excellent properties such as increased light absorption and fast transfer of photo induced charge carriers; these properties stem from the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of noble metals [20,21]
Dutta et al synthesized SnO2 quantum dot (QD) decorated with SiO2 nanoparticles and studied the degradation of methyl blue (MB) dye under visible light [13]
Summary
The preparation of heterostructured 2D-nanosized oxide materials with wide bandgaps has been an active area of research for the past three decades, as their structural shape and size influence their physical, chemical, optical, catalytic, and electronic properties [1,2,3,4]. It has been suggested that the doping of SnO2 with plasmonic noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) could overcome this limitation, as the combination of wide bandgap semiconductor nanostructures and plasmonic noble metals has excellent properties such as increased light absorption and fast transfer of photo induced charge carriers; these properties stem from the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of noble metals [20,21]. As above-mentioned, due to the large surface area of distinct exposed facets, 2D nanosheets are favorable for photocatalytic applications With these factors in mind, we synthesized Ag QD decorated 2D SnO2 nanoflakes, and studied their structural, optical, and photo-catalytic properties
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