Synthesis, Characterization and Photocatalytic Properties of TiO₂-SnO₂Composite Nanoparticles

Abstract

Pure TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized using Titanium (IV)-n-butoxide as Titanium precursor and Sn doping was performed by adding Tin (II) ethylhexanate (Sn precursor) in Titanium precursor by Sol-gel method. The morphology of nanoparticles was examined by XRD and SEM analysis. The XRD analysis shows the formation of mixture phases (anatase and brookite) for pure TiO2. Addition of lower Sn precursor concentration resulted in the formation of Sn doped TiO2 nanoparticles. On increasing the Sn precursor favours the growth of TiO2-SnO2 nanocomposites. It is interesting to observe the fraction of brookite phase in TiO2 decreases by increasing the Sn precursor concentration. The photocatalytic activity test for pure TiO2, pure SnO2, Sn doped TiO2 nanoparticles and TiO2-SnO2 nanocomposites were carried out for Methylene blue (MB) solution. Both Sn doped TiO2 nanoparticles and TiO2-SnO2 nanocomposites show faster photocatalytic degradation than pure TiO2 nanoparticles due to suppression of brookite phase by addition of Sn precursor.