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Structural, optical, surface, and photocatalytic properties of SnO2 films produced by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis

  • Original Paper: Functional coatings, thin films and membranes (including deposition techniques)
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Abstract

Water pollution is a major threat for human health and living things worldwide. SnO2 films are special materials that attract attention in wastewater applications. However, their physical and chemical properties need to be improved to ensure their more efficient use and to increase their competitiveness with TiO2, which is the favorite of such applications. In this work, the effect of solution molarity on photocatalytic and physical properties of SnO2 films produced by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis was reported. Some physical properties were characterized using X-ray diffraction patterns, photoluminescence spectrometry and atomic force microcopy. Photocatalytic tests were carried out using methylene blue pollutant to investigate the potential use of SnO2 films. It was determined that SnO2 film produced from 0.05 M of SnCl4 solution has the highest performance (92.2%) in terms of photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue and could be easily reused for four cycles without significant change in the photocatalytic activity.

Graphical abstract

Highlights

  • The production of highly efficient and economical SnO2 catalysts was successfully carried out to remove organic pollutions in the wastewater.

  • High photocatalytic degradation value (92.2%) was successfully obtained when the molarity of SnCl4 solution is 0.05 M.

  • The photocatalytic properties of the SnO2 films changed significantly depending on the surface morphology, preferential growth direction and point defects (Sni and VO) of the photocatalyst.

  • SnO2 photocatalyst produced from 0.05 M of SnCl4 solution was easily reused for four cycles without significant change in the photocatalytic activity.

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Data availability

The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within this article. The raw data are available at the corresponding author and can be presented for reasonable requests.

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Acknowledgements

Authors would like to acknowledge the Eskişehir Osmangazi University Scientific Research Projects Commission through its research support (Project code: 201619028–2016-1047).

Author contributions

FA: Methodology, investigation, formal analysis, writing—original draft, visualization, and supervision. IA: Methodology, conceptualization, resources, formal analysis, and investigation.

Funding

Eskişehir Osmangazi University Scientific Research Projects (Project code: 201619028–2016-1047).

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  1. Faculty of Art and Letters, Physics Department, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, 26040, Eskisehir, Turkey

    Ferhunde Atay & Idris Akyuz

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  1. Ferhunde Atay
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Atay, F., Akyuz, I. Structural, optical, surface, and photocatalytic properties of SnO2 films produced by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 102, 303–312 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-022-05783-3

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