A novel route to graphite-like carbon supporting SnO2 with high electron transfer and photocatalytic activity

Mesoporous graphite-like carbon supporting SnO2 (carbon-SnO2) nanocomposites were prepared by a modified solvothermal method combined with a post-calcination at 500 °C under a nitrogen atmosphere. The polyvinylpyrrolidone not only promotes the nucleation and crystallization, but also provides the carbon source in the process. The results of scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy show a uniform distribution of SnO2 nanoparticles on the graphite- like carbon surface. Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectra indicate the presence of strong C-Sn interaction between SnO2 and graphite-like carbon. Photoelectrochemical measurements confirm that the effective separation of electron-hole pairs on the carbon-SnO2 nanocomposite leads to a high photocatalytic activity on the degradation of Rhodamine B and glyphosate under simulated sunlight irradiation. The nanocomposite materials show a potential application in dealing with the environmental and industrial contaminants under sunlight irradiation.