Reduced graphene oxide–SnO nanocomposites with good visible-light photoactivity

Abstract

SnO/reduced graphene oxide photocatalysts were prepared using ultrasonic synthesis with SnCl2 · 2H2O, NH4HCO3, and GO powders. Photocatalytic properties of samples were estimated by the degradation of methyl orange (MO). An SnO/graphene oxide composite containing small amounts of SnO2 was obtained. Numerous nano SnO/SnO2 particles were loaded uniformly on the RGO thin flakes. The composites possessed excellent photocatalytic activity, which may degrade 99% of MO under visible light irradiation within 50 min.