Solar light induced photocatalytic degradation of textile dyes using solvothermally synthesized SnO2 impregnated pumice stone

Abstract

In this study, a facile solvothermal route was utilized to immobilize SnO2 on the surface of pumice stone and used as a photocatalyst to remove methyl orange (MO) and crystal violet (CV). Based on the SEM findings, the SnO2 particles were successfully immobilized on the surface of the pumice without aggregation. Also, the immobilization of SnO2 was identified using XRD, EDS, XRF and FTIR analysis. The UV–vis spectroscopy measurement revealed the energy bandgap of pristine pumice and SnO2/pumice composite was found to be 2.71 and 2.55 eV, respectively. The BET surface area of SnO2/pumice is about 29.08 m2 g−1, with pore volume and pore radius of up to 0.045 cm3 g−1 and 30.97 Ả, respectively. The photocatalytic activity of SnO2/pumice under sunlight irradiation shows the degradation of MO and CV by about 85 and 70% within 40 and 60 min, respectively. Moreover, the radical scavengers test discovered that h+ and OH ̇ radicals play a crucial role, whereas · O2 − radicals also exhibited a minor role in the degradation process. In addition, the XRD, FTIR, EDX and XRF analysis of the fresh and used SnO2/pumice sample was carried out to detect a minimal change in sample peaks even after the photocatalytic experiment. As a future aspect, after SnO2/pumice reusability, it can be again reused as a bare substrate in the same synthesis process.