Fabrication of tin-doped zinc oxide by parallel flow co-precipitation with enhanced photocatalytic performance

Sn-doped ZnO photocatalysts with different molar ratios of Sn/Zn (1%, 2% and 3%) were prepared by a parallel flow precipitation. The photocatalysts fabricated were characterized by BET surface area, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, UV/Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and surface photovoltage spectroscopy, respectively. The results showed that doping ZnO with Sn increased BET surface area of ZnO. The XRD patterns of Sn-doped ZnO photocatalysts calcined at 573 K showed only the characteristic peaks of wurtzite-type. Doping ZnO with Sn changed the morphology of ZnO, the morphology changed from irregular lump and particle to irregular honeycomb. The photoinduced charge separation rate of 1% Sn doped-ZnO was higher than that of ZnO, while 2% and 3% Sn doped-ZnO had lower photovoltage than that of ZnO. The photocatalytic activity of Sn-doped ZnO photocatalysts for decolorization of methyl orange solution was evaluated, of all photocatalysts prepared, Sn-doped ZnO with 1% Sn exhibited the best photocatalytic activity and the underlying reason was discussed.