Textural/structural evolution of cube/cauliflower-like MgSn(OH)6 nanophotocatalyst with excellent photocatalytic degradation of toxic dye pollutants

Abstract

In this research, Mg–Sn hydroxide (MgSn(OH)6) nano semiconductor was synthesized using three different routes to investigate the texture/structure of MgSn(OH)6 on the photocatalytic properties of MgSn(OH)6 in RhB degradation. The nano semiconductors were characterized using XRD, FE-SEM, TEM, EDX, BET-BJH, DRS, PL, and the pHpzc. Morphological analyses for sono-hydrothermal sample showed 3D cubic microstructure. However, 3D cauliflower-like morphology was observed in the other samples. XRD analysis demonstrated the higher crystallinity of the sono-hydrothermal sample. BET-BJH analysis showed that the specific surface area and pore volume of this sample were 138.7 m2/g and 0.111 cm3/g, respectively. DRS analysis showed band-gap energy of about 4.1eV for all samples. Photocatalytic degradation experiments were conducted under UV-C light irradiation. The results demonstrated the advantage of the sono-hydrothermal sample owing to the cubic morphology, higher crystallinity and SBET, and lower recombination rate of the charge carriers. The photocatalytic degradation performance of the sample was evaluated in degradation of RhB, AO7, MO, and MB, which were 96, 93, 60, and 40%, respectively. The reusability study of sono-hydrothermal and hydrothermal samples was conducted in which the sono-hydrothermal sample showed higher efficiency and stability in four successive runs.