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Nanohybrids of 1D tin oxide (SnO2) nanotubes 2D-reduced graphene oxide (RGO) for improving photodegradation of Cr(VI)

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Abstract

A series of 1D tin oxide (SnO2) anchored on the 2D-reduced graphene oxide (RGO) composites were successfully synthesized by two-step hydrothermal method. The microstructure, morphology, chemical composition, oxidation states and surface areas of SnO2 nanotubes, SnO2 nanotubes/RGO nanosheets were comparatively studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET). UV–Vis absorption spectra indicate that SnO2@RGO nanohybrids enhance absorbance in UV as well as visible region, while the intensity of PL decreases as compared to SnO2. This plays a crucial role to minimize the recombination of charge carriers through transfer of electron from SnO2 to RGO. The photocatalytic activities of the as-prepared nanocomposites for the photoreduction of Cr(VI) under visible irradiation were investigated. The SnO2@RGO nanocomposites exhibited better photodegradation efficiency (98%) than the bare SnO2 (38%). The enhanced photocatalytic activity of SnO2@RGO can be attributed to vectorial electron transfer process in the continuous network of RGO with large specific surface area, synergistic interaction between RGO and SnO2.

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The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, upon reasonable request.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Sciences and Technology, Alagappa College of Technology, Anna University Chennai, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600025, India

    D. Ramki & M. Dharmendira Kumar

  2. Department of Chemistry, University College of Engineering, Panruti, Tamil Nadu, 607106, India

    P. Siva Karthik

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DR and MDK: study conceptualization and writing (original draft) the manuscript. PSK: data curation, formal analysis and writing (review and editing), and funding acquisition and project administration.

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Correspondence to M. Dharmendira Kumar.

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Ramki, D., Dharmendira Kumar, M. & Siva Karthik, P. Nanohybrids of 1D tin oxide (SnO2) nanotubes 2D-reduced graphene oxide (RGO) for improving photodegradation of Cr(VI). J Mater Sci: Mater Electron 34, 551 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-023-09854-1

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