Metallic silver modified SnO2-Zn2SnO4 cube nanomaterials for improved photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B

To modify the wide bandgap and intrinsic high recombination rate of photogenerated charge carriers of Zn2SnO4 photocatalysts, Ag/SnO2-Zn2SnO4 composites were prepared by depositing Ag nanoparticles onto cube-shaped SnO2-Zn2SnO4 nanomaterials via photoreduction. The composites were characterized by XRD, SEM, EDS, TEM, XPS, and UV-Vis DRS, and their photocatalytic degradation effect on rhodamine B (Rh B) for different Ag loadings was studied, with 10%Ag/SnO2-Zn2SnO4 showing the greatest effect. The UV photocatalytic degradation rate of the Rh B solution reaches 100% after 12 min of visible light irradiation and 91% after five cycles. The free radical trapping agent experiment indicated that the active substances of Ag/SnO2-Zn2SnO4 photocatalysis are <middle dot>O-2(-) and h(+). Further, photoelectrochemical tests revealed the higher electron-hole separation efficiency and faster charge transfer rate of the composites, enhancing the formation of photoproduced carriers and photocatalytic activity.