Template-free synthesis of a CdSnO3• 3H2O hollow-nanocuboid photocatalyst via a facile microwave hydrothermal method.

A CdSnO₃• 3H₂O hollow-nanocuboid photocatalyst was successfully synthesized via a facile template-free microwave hydrothermal method for the first time. The as-prepared samples were characterized by x-ray diffraction, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Moreover, samples prepared under different reaction times were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy to investigate the formation process of the CdSnO₃• 3H₂O hollow-nanocuboids. Based on this result, a possible mechanism for the formation process was proposed. The sample prepared at 160 °C for 2 h at pH 11 exhibited the best photocatalytic activity and stability for the degradation of gaseous benzene under UV irradiation (λ = 254 nm) as compared with the other samples. The conversion and mineralization rates of benzene were about 12.5% and 67%, respectively. The mineralization rate was twice as high as that of commercial TiO₂ (Degussa Co.). Furthermore, the excellent stability for the benzene decomposition was attributed to the positive charge on the catalyst surface, which was analyzed both by electron spin resonance and Zeta-potentials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]