Abstract
Tin oxide (SnO2) nanoparticles were synthesized by the co-precipitation method and mechanically modified by high-energy ball milling. The experimental results demonstrate that the collision with zirconia balls produces slight changes in the crystalline, electronic, morphological, and surface properties of SnO2, which lead to an increase in the redox potential of the energy level and the formation of the hydroxyl group on the SnO2 surface. Moreover, these changes are intensified over the milling up to 90 min, directly affecting the photocatalytic performance, which was monitored by the rate of rhodamine B (RhB) degradation driven by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. As a result, all ground samples showed better photocatalytic activity than pristine SnO2 (Sn-cop). The maximum degradation of rhodamine B was ca. 75%, achieved with 90 min-milled SnO2 nanoparticles (Sn-M90), compared to the Sn-cop sample induced a 1.67 times higher degradation rate. The reaction mechanism suggests that its better photocatalytic activity may be associated with the higher increased redox potential of the valence and conduction bands and the formation of hydroxyl active sites on the catalyst surface principal oxidizing agent generated. Therefore, we conclude that the ball milling process is an efficient way to induce stable activation of oxide metal for photocatalytic applications.
Highlights
Metal oxide nanoparticles have been widely investigated in photocatalytic processes, playing a crucial role in mitigating the environmental problems generated by greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions and the release of emerging pollutants.[1,2] Until now, the most studied photocatalyst is titanium dioxide (TiO2) because it has favorable optical, electronic, and mechanical properties for this process.[3,4] Structurally, tin dioxide (SnO2) is very similar: a semiconductor with a bandgap of ca. 3.6 eV, widely applied as gas sensors and batteries due to its stability, conductivity, and transparency.[5]
This shift indicates that the structural distortion promoted by the collisions between zirconia balls and SnO2 leads to stressenergy on the particle resulting in strain and expansion of the SnO2 crystal lattice.[24,25,26]
SnO2 nanoparticles were prepared by precipitation method under mild conditions and activated by solvent-free ball milling at different times
Summary
Metal oxide nanoparticles have been widely investigated in photocatalytic processes, playing a crucial role in mitigating the environmental problems generated by greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions and the release of emerging pollutants.[1,2] Until now, the most studied photocatalyst is titanium dioxide (TiO2) because it has favorable optical, electronic, and mechanical properties for this process.[3,4] Structurally, tin dioxide (SnO2) is very similar: a semiconductor with a bandgap of ca. 3.6 eV, widely applied as gas sensors and batteries due to its stability, conductivity, and transparency.[5].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
