Hydrothermally synthesized nanocrystalline tin disulphide as visible light-active photocatalyst: Spectral response and stability

A simple hydrothermal method is implemented for the synthesis of SnS2 nanoparticles, using non expensive SnCl4·5H2O and thiourea as reactants. The photocatalytic properties of the synthesized material under visible light irradiation are evaluated examining the degradation of formic acid in an aqueous solution containing the solid in suspension, using eventually band-pass filters to verify the dependence of photoactivity on light wavelength. The results demonstrate that the material has high visible light photocatalytic activity with an action spectrum covering the full spectral range absorbed by the solid (up to ca. 600 nm), and that the latter is also more photoactive and resistant to photocorrosion than the more toxic but frequently used CdS. Tin disulphide, containing only abundant and nontoxic elements, is thus suggested as advantageous alternative for solar light use.

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► SnS2 nanoparticles are synthesized using a low-temperature hydrothermal method.
► SnS2 shows high activity to degrade formic acid under visible light irradiation.
► The photoactivity wavelength dependence is tested: even >600 nm photons are active.
► The synthesized SnS2 has higher resistance to photocorrosion than CdS.