Synthesis, Characterization and Photocatalytic Properties of TiO_2-SnO_2 Composite Nanoparticles

摘要

Pure TiO_2 nanoparticles were synthesized using Titanium (IV)-n-butoxide as Titanium precursor and Sn doping was performed by adding Tin (II) ethylhexanate (Sn precursor) in Titanium precursor by Sol-gel method. The morphology of nanoparticles was examined by XRD and SEM analysis. The XRD analysis shows the formation of mixture phases (anatase and brookite) for pure TiO_2. Addition of lower Sn precursor concentration resulted in the formation of Sn doped TiO_2 nanoparticles. On increasing the Sn precursor favours the growth of TiO_2-SnO_2 nanocomposites. It is interesting to observe the fraction of brookite phase in TiO_2 decreases by increasing the Sn precursor concentration. The photocatalytic activity test for pure TiO_2, pure SnO_2, Sn doped TiO_2 nanoparticles and TiO_2-SnO_2 nanocomposites were carried out for Methylene blue (MB) solution. Both Sn doped TiO_2 nanoparticles and TiO_2-SnO_2 nanocomposites show faster photocatalytic degradation than pure TiO_2 nanoparticles due to suppression of brookite phase by addition of Sn precursor.