One-pot synthesis of flower-like SnS2/SnO2 heterojunction with enhanced visible light photocatalytic performance.

Herein, the combined strategy of coupling SnS 2 was adopted to modify SnO 2 nanoparticles to construct SnS 2 /SnO 2 heterostructure. The as-prepared SnS 2 /SnO 2 composites were characterized by XRD, TEM, XPS, UV–vis, transient photocurrent and photoluminescence spectra technologies. TEM results proved SnS 2 /SnO 2 composites showed flower-like structure. UV–vis spectra suggested that the introduction of SnS 2 can prolong light absorption range to visible region. The photocatalytic activity of SnS 2 /SnO 2 composites were measured by degrading methyl orange and Cr (VI). The SnS 2 /SnO 2 heterojunction exhibited excellent photodegradation activity compared with pure SnO 2 and SnS 2 , and the MO degradation rates were up to 98% and 96% after 120 min irradiation under UV and visible, and 98% and 95% of Cr (VI) were degraded by the composites in 120 min, respectively. The superior photocatalytic performance was due to the effective separation of photoinduced carriers and enhanced light absorption, which was proved by the transient photocurrent, photoluminescence, and UV–vis spectra. Photocatalytic mechanism was further studied through free radical capture experiments and theoretical calculations. Our research provides a novel design for the synthesis of SnO 2 -based composites with effective removal of environmental pollutants. [Display omitted] • SnS 2 /SnO 2 heterostructure was obtained by a simple solid-state chemical method. • SnS 2 /SnO 2 heterostructure displayed superior photocatalytic activity to SnO 2. • High activity is due to slow recombination, and enhanced light absorption. • The work provides a simple route for the synthesis of Sn-based heterostructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]