SnO2 nanocrystallines decorated g-C3N4 composites with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity

Abstract

A series of SnO₂ nanocrystallines decorated g-C₃N₄ architectures were synthesized using a facile solvothermal method. The structural, morphological, and optical properties of the as-prepared nanocomposites were characterized in detail, indicating that SnO₂ nanocrystallines with diameter ～ 4?nm were well-dispersed on the surface of g-C₃N_4. The photocatalytic activity of the composites was investigated by degrading rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation. The CNS2 heterostructure exhibits enhanced photocatalytic activity than bare SnO₂ and g-C₃N₄. Kinetic study revealed a promising degradation rate constant of 0.0593?min^?1 for the CNS2, which is 118 and 7 times higher than that of pure SnO₂ and g-C₃N₄, respectively. What’s more, the CNS2 still retained the photocatalytic activity after three cycle measurements. The enhanced photocatalytic performances of the nanocomposite may be due to its large surface area (116.2 m²/g), appropriate ratio of SnO₂/g-C₃N₄ and the compact structure of the junction between the SnO₂ nanocrystallines and the g-C₃N₄, which inhibits the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes.