Enhancement of visible light activity in Ag modified SnO{sub 2}/TiO{sub 2}

Journal Article · Fri Nov 15 04:00:00 EST 2013 · Materials Research Bulletin

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MATERRESBULL.2013.07.031· OSTI ID:22285229

Zhou, Xiufeng; Cao, Jialei; Xu, Mengfei; Wang, Zuoshan; Lu, Juan

Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • Ag modified SnO{sub 2}/TiO{sub 2} nanoparticles were synthesized by a modified sol–gel method. • As-prepared samples have a small and uniform particle size of about 20 nm. • As-prepared samples exhibit an excellent photo-catalytic efficiency on the degradation of MB. • As-prepared samples maintain high photo-chemical stability after 5 catalytic cycles. - Abstract: Ag modified SnO{sub 2}/TiO{sub 2} nanoparticles were successfully prepared by a modified sol–gel method, without adding any acid or alkali. The entire preparation differs from the traditional sol–gel synthesis of TiO{sub 2} that the reaction can get controlled by adjusting the flow speed of water vapor. Ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectra (UV–vis) and spin-trapping electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) were used to forecast the photocatalytic activity of the samples, and the results were proved by the degradation of methylene blue solution under visible light. Compared with pure TiO{sub 2}, as-prepared Ag modified SnO{sub 2}/TiO{sub 2} nanoparticles exhibited not only an enhanced photocatalytic activity but also an improved stability. Among all of samples, the composite with 0.5% of Ag and 1% of Sn showed the best photocatalytic performance and stability. Further increasing the Ag proportion will result in the decrease of the photocatalytic activity. A relative mechanism was proposed and discussed in detail.

• OSTI ID: 22285229
• Journal Information: Materials Research Bulletin, Journal Name: Materials Research Bulletin Journal Issue: 11 Vol. 48; ISSN MRBUAC; ISSN 0025-5408
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
CRYSTAL GROWTH
ELECTRON SPIN RESONANCE
METHYLENE BLUE
NANOSTRUCTURES
PARTICLE SIZE
PHOTOCATALYSIS
PHOTOELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY
SYNTHESIS
TIN OXIDES
TITANIUM OXIDES
WATER VAPOR