Cr doped SnS2 nanoflowers: Preparation, characterization and photocatalytic decolorization

The Sn1-xCrxS2 (x = 0, 0.01, 0.03, 0.05 and 0.07) nanoflowers with different molar ratios were prepared via hydrothermal at a low temperature of 180 °C. All samples were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, SEM, EDS, TEM, XPS, UV-vis and PL. The Sn1-xCrxS2 nanoflowers are single-phase wurtzite structure with good crystallinity, which is confirmed by the XRD, and FT-IR results. XPS and EDS results demonstrate that Cr is present in the valence of Cr3+ ions. Based on the SEM and TEM analysis, the size of doped samples is nearly flower-like ~1.5 µm. The band gap of Sn0.95Cr0.05S2 (2.24 eV) is the largest in the doped samples, which displays the most similar to that of the pure SnS2 nanoflowers (2.27 eV). The photocatalytic activity of the Cr doped SnS2 nanoflowers is evaluated towards the decolorization of rhodamine B under visible irradiation with good cyclability and stability. Moreover, the main active species are
- OH and h+. Accordingly, Cr doped SnS2 displays super photocatalytic performance in dyes decomposition showing the lowest intensity in the PL spectra with doped optimum 5% Cr concentration.