Highly Enhanced Photocatalytic Properties of Tin Selenide Nanopowders by Microstructure Modulation

Abstract

Wide-band-gap semiconductor photocatalytic materials are limited in their application because they can only absorb ultraviolet light, while tin selenide (SnSe) with a narrow band gap is a promising photocatalyst that responds to visible and near-infrared light. Herein, pure SnSe nanopowders with a narrow band gap were synthesized by regulating the reaction temperature in the process of hydrothermal reaction. The powder samples showed self-assembled micrometer flowers of nanosheets and nanorods, which facilitated the degradation of contaminant dyes by increasing the length of the light path. The properties of the photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) by the SnSe powders synthesized at a temperature gradient of 20 °C from 80 to 120 °C were investigated. The results show that the degradation rate of RhB reached 98.2% in 60 min by pure SnSe powder prepared at 100 °C (SnSe-100), which was attributed to the "light trapping effect" created by its unique and intact micron-flower structure. In addition, degradation experiments were also carried out on common organic dyes, in which the decomposition rate of methylene blue reached 92.86%. This can be applied to the treatment of water pollution and provides a quick solution.

Reduced Graphene Oxide–SnSe Nanocomposite Photocatalyst with High Apparent Quantum Yield for the Photodegradation of Norfloxacin

“…These defects result in the formation of multiple energy levels within the electronic structure of SnSe, enabling the absorption of photons across various energies from near infrared (NIR) to visible regions . In light of these characteristics, SnSe nanostructures have gained widespread recognition as photocatalytic materials in recent research. − …”