Composite TiO2–SnO2 nanostructured films prepared by spin-coating with high photocatalytic performance

We have prepared nanoscale composite TiO2–SnO2 thin films with different Sn ratios. Sol–gel TiO2–SnO2 solutions with different ratios were deposited on quartz substrates by the spin-coating. XRD and AFM experiments showed that smooth and uniform anatase, anatase-rutile as well as rutile structural thin films were formed at 500 °C depending on Sn ratio. The nanocomposite films with Ti:Sn ratio of 3:1 proved an excellent photocatalytic activity in the UV–Vis region.