Nanoporous SnO2 prepared by a photochemical strategy: Controlling of specific surface area and photocatalytic activity in degradation of dye pollutants

• Nanoporous SnO2 particles were prepared by a photochemical method.
• The specific surface area was easily tuned in the range of 13–203 m2 g−1.
• The product showed high photocatalytic activity in degradation of dye pollutants.
• No surfactant or template was employed in the preparation process.

Nanoporous SnO2 fine particles with controlled specific surface area were prepared in the SnSO4 and H2SO4 mixed solutions by a simple photochemical method for the first time. Compared with other solution methods, the controlling of surface area can be manipulated at room temperature without the addition of any surfactant or template. Only by controlling the concentration of H2SO4, the specific surface area of the product could be tuned in the range of 13–203 m2 g−1. They showed high activity and can be applied to efficient photocatalytic degradation of dye pollutants under a low power (8 W 254 nm) UV lamp. It was found the activity gradually increased with the increase of the specific surface area or the increase of the concentration of H2SO4 employed in the preparation process. The formation of SnO2 and pore structures, the morphologies, the compositions and the photocatalytic degradation mechanisms were systematically studied.

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