Self-assemble flower-like SnO2/Ag heterostructures: Correlation among composition, structure and photocatalytic activity

Three-dimensional flower-like SnO2/Ag heterostructures were self-assembled via a simple microwave hydrothermal treatment of a mixture of tin (II) dichloride dihydrate (SnCl2·2H2O), sodium citrate (Na3C6H5O7·2H2O) and silver nitrate (AgNO3) in an alkali solution. The morphological, structural and optical properties of the heterostructures were investigated by means of powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence spectra (PL) and Raman spectra, and a detailed formation mechanism was discussed. The photocatalytic activities of the samples were evaluated by degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) in an aqueous solution under ultraviolet light irradiation. Morphology and photocatalytic activity of the SnO2/Ag heterostructures were tailored as the addition amount of Ag. SnO2/Ag heterostructures with 3% content of Ag showed best photocatalytic performance.

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► Flower-like SnO2/Ag heterostructures were self-assembled via microwave hydrothermal treatment.
► Changes in the morphology and photocatalytic activity were observed as Ag amount were altered.
► Correlation among composition, structure and photocatalytic activity was studied.