One step synthesis of tin oxide nanomaterials and their sintering effect in dye degrdation

Tin oxide nanomaterials were prepared by efficient and cost effective co-precipitation method at different sintering temperatures. Structural, thermal and optical properties of the final product indicate that change of sintering temperature had an impact. Sintering temperature has minor influence on crystallite size of the samples. With the decrease in crystallite size, the surface area increases; the degradation efficiency increases with adsorption which is directly proportional to surface area. The absorption peak red shifted against the sintering temperature which denotes it moves to visible region with low bandgap. The Differential Thermal Analysis endothermic peak points out the decomposition of tin oxalate into tin oxide. The commonly available textile colorant methylene blue was degraded using prepared SnO2 as a photocatalyst in visible light. The tin oxide which has low crystallite size gives highest methylene blue photodegradation than others due to its low recombination rate, high surface area. Discussed the possible mechanism for the formation of organic dye degradation strong oxidant OH.