SnO2 nanoparticle embedded TiO2 nanofibers — Highly efficient photocatalyst for the degradation of rhodamine B

SnO2 nanoparticle embedded TiO2 nanofibers were fabricated by a simple electrospinning method. The relationship between the SnO2/TiO2 weight ratio and photocatalytic efficiency was investigated from the view point of Rhodamine B decomposition. In addition, electron microscopic analysis, energy dispersive analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis, and photoluminescence study demonstrated that SnO2 nanoparticle was successfully embedded in TiO2 nanofibers. TiO2 nanofibers containing SnO2 nanoparticle provided an enhanced interfacial region between TiO2 and SnO2. SnO2 nanoparticles embedded TiO2 nanofibers exhibited highly efficient photocatalytic activity under UV light irradiation due to high charge separation of electron–hole pairs.

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► Novel SnO2@TiO2 nanofibers were fabricated by a simple electrospinning method.
► The SnO2 nanoparticles embedded TiO2 nanofibers had enhanced contact interface between TiO2 and SnO2.
► The SnO2@TiO2 nanofibers with SnO2 contents of 10 wt% showed the highest photocatalytic activity for Rhodamine B decomposition.