Photocatalytic performance of Ag doped SnO2 nanoparticles modified with curcumin

• Curcumin–Ag–SnO2 was prepared via simple chemical impregnation method.
• Photocatalytic activity was measured by the degradation of rose bengal.
• Ag and curcumin modification enhanced the photocatalytic activity of SnO2.
• Cur–Ag–SnO2 is also showed antifungal activity against Candida albicans.

Visible light active Ag doped SnO2 nanoparticles modified with curcumin (Cur–Ag–SnO2) have been prepared by a combined precipitation and chemical impregnation route. The optical properties, phase structures and morphologies of the as-prepared nanoparticles were characterized using UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectra (UV–vis-DRS), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The surface area was measured by Brunauer. Emmett. Teller (B.E.T) analysis. Compared to bare SnO2, the surface modified photocatalysts (Ag–SnO2 and Cur–Ag–SnO2) showed a red shift in the visible region. The photocatalytic activity was monitored via the degradation of rose bengal (RB) dye and the results revealed that Cur–Ag–SnO2 shows better photocatalytic activity than that of Ag–SnO2 and SnO2. The superior photocatalytic activity of Cur–Ag–SnO2 could be attributed to the effective electron-hole separation by surface modification. The effect of photocatalyst concentration, initial dye concentration and electron scavenger on the photocatalytic activity was examined in detail. Furthermore, the antifungal activity of the photocatalysts and the reusability of Cur–Ag–SnO2 were tested.

The schematic diagram of electron transfer process in Cur–Ag–SnO2 photocatalyst under visible light irradiation.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide