Synthesis and investigation of optical properties and enhancement photocatalytic activity of TiO2–SnO2 semiconductor for degradation of organic compounds

Abstract Industrial wastewater treatment using UV irradiation in combination with oxidants or catalysts (TiO 2 ) has attracted attention as a promising substitute for conventional methods. Studying the preparation and characterization of TiO 2 –SnO 2 nanocomposites with different ratios, as well as their use in the enhanced photocatalytic degradation of acid red 37 dye in aqueous solution under UV irradiation as a model pollutant, are the goals of the research. The crystalline structures of the prepared nanomaterials were confirmed by XRD and the surface morphology of the samples was studied by TEM. The elemental compositions of the catalysts were confirmed by EDAX. The optical properties of the powder samples were analyzed with UV–Vis spectroscopy and their band gaps were estimated. The photocatalytic degradation was investigated using several advanced oxidation techniques using a batch photoreactor. The TiO 2 –SnO 2 (90:10) nanocomposite showed the best degradation efficiency.