Fast sonochemical synthesis of CoSn(OH)6 nanocubes, conversion towards shape-preserved SnO2–Co3O4 hybrids and their photodegradation properties

CoSn(OH)6 nanocubes were rapidly prepared by a simple sonochemical route at room temperature for 30 min, employing CoCl2, SnCl4 and NaOH as the starting reactants in the absence of any surfactant or template. Subsequently, CoSn(OH)6 nanocubes were converted into SnO2–Co3O4 hybrids by calcining at 500 °C for 120 min in air. Interestingly, the as-obtained SnO2–Co3O4 hybrids still kept the cubic morphology of CoSn(OH)6. The above samples were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), and (high resolution) transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM/TEM). Experiments showed that SnO2–Co3O4 hybrids owned the stronger photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methylene blue than CoSn(OH)6 nanocubes.

► Cubic CoSn(OH)6 nanocubes are prepared via a simple and rapid sonochemical route. ► CoSn(OH)6 nanocubes can be converted into shape-preserved SnO2–Co3O4 hybrids. ► SnO2–Co3O4 hybrids own stronger photodegradation to dyes than CoSn(OH)6 nanocubes.