Synthesis of sub-5 nm Co-doped SnO2 nanoparticles and their structural, microstructural, optical and photocatalytic properties

Abstract

A swift chemical route to synthesize Co-doped SnO2 nanopowders is described. Pure and highly stable Sn1−xCoxO2−δ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.15) crystalline nanoparticles were synthesized, with mean grain sizes <5 nm and the dopant element homogeneously distributed in the SnO2 matrix. The UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectra of the Sn1−xCoxO2−δ samples reveal red shifts, the optical bandgap energies decreasing with increasing Co concentration. The samples' Urbach energies were calculated and correlated with their bandgap energies. The photocatalytic activity of the Sn1−xCoxO2−δ samples was investigated for the 4-hydroxylbenzoic acid (4-HBA) degradation process. A complete photodegradation of a 10 ppm 4-HBA solution was achieved using 0.02% (w/w) of Sn0.95Co0.05O2−δ nanoparticles in 60 min of irradiation.