SnO2 particles as efficient photocatalysts for organic dye degradation grown in-situ on g-C3N4 nanosheets by microwave-assisted hydrothermal method

In this work, SnO2 nanoparticles (NPs) were grown in-situ on g-C3N4 nanosheets using a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. The resulting nanocomposite formed heterojunctions with useful photocatalytic proper ties. The morphology and chemical structure of the g-C3N4/SnO2 were thoroughly characterized. UV-vis and photoluminescence results revealed g-C3N4/SnO2 heterojunction with strong light adsorption and enhanced efficient separation of electron-hole pairs, respectively. These properties provided an excellent photocatalytic efficiency of the g-C3N4/SnO2 catalysts towards Rhodamine B degradation under UV and visible light irradiation, which were 100% and 98.5%, respectively, after 4 h of exposure to light. Such efficient materials could be used for future degradation of organic dyes under solar light. In addition, these composite materials could be applied to environmentally friendly photocatalysis reaction.