Biotemplate-SnO2 particles intercalated PANI matrix: Enhanced photo catalytic activity for degradation of MB and RY-15 dye

New biotemplate material with SnO2 particles intercalated to polyaniline (PANI) matrix was synthesized via two step methods. Biotemplate (CS)SnO2 particles were prepared by chemical precipitation method and effectively assembled on PANI matrix by in-situ chemical oxidative polymerization method. The amine, imine and hydroxyl functional groups of chitosan-SnO2 intercalated PANI was characterized by FTIR spectroscopy. The nanocomposites of fibrous structures collapsed with sphere like structure analyzed from HR-SEM with EDAX. TEM analysis reveals that existence of the formed nanocomposites with size ∼8.46-11.34 nm and the surface area of BSP-0.75 nanocomposites were observed as ∼147.13 m2/g using BET analysis. Thermal stability of biotemplate based SnO2 intercalated PANI was higher than that of CS-PANI composite. The results demonstrate that biotemplate-SnO2 intercalated PANI matrix has better reinforced effect compared to other three components. Therefore, Biotemplate based SnO2 particles intercalated to PANI matrix act as an efficient photo catalyst for the degradation of methylene blue and reactive yellow 15 dye under direct sunlight irradiation.