Polyoxometalate enhances the photocatalytic performance of polyaniline/SnO2 composites

Polyoxometalate-doped polyaniline/SnO2 (polyoxometalate=H4SiW12O40, abbreviated as SiW12, polyaniline, abbreviated as PANI) nanosphere composites were obtained by a two-step synthesis using SnO2 as template. The structure and properties of the products were characterized. Results revealed that SiW12 concentration significantly controlled the covered state and dispersion of resultant ternary nanocomposites. Using ethanol solvent instead of water with SiW12 also promoted aniline polymerization on the SnO2 surface. The composites exhibited enhanced dispersion, coverage, and photocatalytic performance for Rhodamine B (RhB) degradation. Moreover, the mass ratio of SiW12:aniline:SnO2 was ca. 6:1:1, indicating enhanced photocatalytic activity compared with that of the monocomponent SnO2 or HCl-doped PANI/SnO2 composites.