Facile synthesis and photocatalytic performance of Mg2SnO4/SnO2 heterostructures

Abstract

Highly crystalline MgSn(OH)₆ cubic and polyhedral nanoparticles were synthesized via hydrothermal method by adjusting the ethanol/water ratio. Mg₂SnO₄/SnO₂ nanoparticles have been successfully obtained by subsequent calcining, which maintain the original morphologies of the precursor with shrank size and rough surface. The structural properties of Mg₂SnO₄/SnO₂ heterostructures were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy, and N₂ adsorption/desorption isotherms. The photocatalytic activity of the Mg₂SnO₄/SnO₂ nanoparticles was further evaluated by the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under UV illumination. The obtained results revealed that Mg₂SnO₄/SnO₂ polyhedral nanoparticles have excellent performance on photocatalytic degradation of MB. It is assumed that the red shift of band gap, oxygen vacancies, and higher specific surface areas of polyhedral Mg₂SnO₄/SnO₂ nanocomposites contribute to the enhancement in the photocatalytic activity.