SnO2 nanoparticles synthesized with Citrus aurantifolia and their performance in photocatalysis

Abstract

This research presents an alternative tin oxide (SnO 2) nanoparticles synthesis method using different concentrations of Citrus aurantifolia peel extract as reducing agent. We report the chemical identification protocol for polyphenols in the peels via FTIR, the characterization of the SnO 2 nanoparticles by FTIR, XRD, HRTEM, and UV-vis. The SnO 2 nanoparticles presented the Sn-O-Sn bond at 640 cm −1 and crystal growth with a clearly tetragonal structure. Depending on the amount of extract used, hemispherical nanoparticles of different sizes (5-12 nm) and band gap values ranging from 3.02 to 3.44 eV were obtained. Photocatalytic degradation studies of the synthesized SnO 2 were carried out using methylene blue under UV light. The sample with 4% extract of C. aurantifolia showed a degradation rate of about 96% at 120 min. The use of C. aurantifolia as a reducing agent in the synthesis of SnO 2 nanoparticles helps the properties and has control over the morphology of the nanoparticles.

Tetragonal SnO2 Nanoparticles: An Efficient Photocatalyst for the Degradation of Hazardous Ionic Dyes

“…Due to the large size of the nanoparticles, the bandgap decreased. In addition, the synthesized materials exhibit values that are similar to those of bulk SnO 2 (3.6 eV) [37,40] which suggests that they can be used in photocatalytic applications [37] …”

Comparative Study of Sonophotocatalytic, Photocatalytic, and Catalytic Activities of Magnesium and Chitosan-Doped Tin Oxide Quantum Dots

“…Other studies have found similar outcomes with different dopants in the past. , As the crystallite size reduced, the surface area of the photocatalyst becomes large, improving the adsorption of the reactant and absorption of light over the photocatalyst. Consequently, PCA was increased by doping CS and Mg in SnO 2 because the crystallite size was reduced, as elaborated in Table . The CA of SnO 2 was also increased as the crystallite size decreased, attributed to the large surface area of the catalyst .…”

“…31 The CA of SnO 2 was also increased as the crystallite size decreased, attributed to the large surface area of the catalyst. 31 Moreover, SAED analysis of primeval and doped samples revealed 32 The transmission bands at 3356 and 1633 cm −1 can be allocated to the O−H vibration. 33 Upon doping of CS, bands move toward the lower wavenumber, representing the presence of the −OH or NH 2 functional group in CS.…”

“…Consequently, PCA was increased by doping CS and Mg in SnO 2 because the crystallite size was reduced, as elaborated in Table 1 . 31 The CA of SnO 2 was also increased as the crystallite size decreased, attributed to the large surface area of the catalyst. 31 Moreover, SAED analysis of primeval and doped samples revealed discrete and bright rings corresponding to different facets (110), (211), (101), and (02̅1) of the XRD pattern, as elaborated in Figure 4 c–f.…”

“… 31 The CA of SnO 2 was also increased as the crystallite size decreased, attributed to the large surface area of the catalyst. 31 Moreover, SAED analysis of primeval and doped samples revealed discrete and bright rings corresponding to different facets (110), (211), (101), and (02̅1) of the XRD pattern, as elaborated in Figure 4 c–f. These circular rings containing bright spots exhibited the polycrystalline nature of SnO 2 , CS/SnO 2 , and (2, 4 wt %) Mg/CS SnO 2 .…”