Characterization and photocatalytic properties of SnO2-TiO2 nanocomposites prepared through gaseous detonation method

SnO2-TiO2 nanocomposites were prepared by gaseous detonation method. The effects of SnO2 content on morphology, properties and photocatalytic properties of SnO2-TiO2 nanocomposites were explored. Structure, components, grain size, morphology and optical properties of samples were characterized by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Transmission electron microscope (TEM), Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS), UV-vis spectroscopy, and Infrared spectroscopy (FIIR). Photocatalytic properties were measured by methyl orange solution removal experiments under UV irradiation at an initial concentration of 10 mg/L. Results demonstrated that SnO2 content is negatively related to the grain size of samples. The TiO2 content in the rutile phase is positively correlated with the photocatalytic properties of samples. The samples were anatase-rutile mixed crystal when the molar ratio of Sn:Ti is 1:4. The grain size of mixed crystal in anatase-rutile phase ranged between 8 nm and 40 nm and the energy gap was 3.03 eV. This phase demonstrated the highest photocatalytic properties. The methyl orange solution was degraded completely at 25 min at a constant reaction rate of 0.146 min−1. The rate of photocatalytic reaction was 46% higher than that of the prepared TiO2 and about 13% higher than that of P25.