A facile hydrothermal approach for catalytic and optical behavior of tin oxide- graphene (SnO2/G) nanocomposite

PLoS One. 2018 Oct 1;13(10):e0202694. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202694. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

A cost-effective, facile hydrothermal approach was made for the synthesis of SnO2/graphene (Gr) nano-composites. XRD diffraction spectra clearly confirmed the presence of tetragonal crystal system of SnO2 which was maintaining its structure in both pure and composite materials' matrix. The stretching and bending vibrations of the functional groups were analyzed using FTIR analysis. FESEM images illustrated the surface morphology and the texture of the synthesized sample. HRTEM images confirmed the deposition of SnO2 nanoparticles over the surface of graphene nano-sheets. Raman Spectroscopic analysis was carried out to confirm the in-plane blending of SnO2 and graphene inside the composite matrix. The photocatalytic performance of the synthesized sample under UV irradiation using methylene blue dye was observed. Incorporation of grapheme into the SnO2 sample had increased the photocatalytic activity compared with the pure SnO2 sample. The electrochemical property of the synthesized sample was evaluated.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Catalysis
  • Graphite / chemistry*
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Nanocomposites / chemistry
  • Nanocomposites / ultrastructure*
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Nanoparticles / ultrastructure*
  • Spectrum Analysis, Raman
  • Tin Compounds / chemistry*
  • Ultraviolet Rays
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Tin Compounds
  • Graphite
  • stannic oxide

Grants and funding

This work has been conducted under the grants RP044C-17AET and RP044D-17AET of University Malaya, Malaysia to Z.C. The authors F.A and S.S would like to acknowledge the financial support provided by The Ministry of Higher Education under the Niche Research Grant Scheme (NRGS) NRGS/2013/UPNM/PK/P1.