Solvothermal synthesis of porous SnS2 nanotubes with higher adsorption and photocatalytic activity

Abstract

This letter reports for the first time on the photocatalysis of SnS2 nanotubes, with the goal of maximizing the potential of SnS2 for photocatalytic applications. SnS2 nanotubes were synthesized by a solvothermal method with the assistance of cobalt-nitrilotriacetic acid complex nanorods as the sacrificial template. The X-ray diffraction, Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses indicated the formation of pure hexagonal phase SnS2. Scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope images revealed that the as-synthesized SnS2 comprised porous nanotubes, which were assembled from intertwined, 5 nm-thick nanosheets. Nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms disclosed that the as-synthesized SnS2 nanotubes had a much big specific surface area (232.8 m2/g). Photocatalytic experiments showed that the as-synthesized SnS2 nanotubes not only far surpassed SnS2 nanoflowers, nanoflakes and nanoparticles in the adsorption and visible-light-driven photocatalytic reduction of aqueous Cr(VI), but also had good recyclability. This study tells that the photocatalytic activity of SnS2 can be enhanced by the preparation of porous nanotubular microstructre.