Synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic activity of Zn2+, Mn2+ and Co2+ doped SnO2 nanoparticles

Nanomaterials with many improved properties have been used in versatile applications. Herein we have synthesized SnO2 NPs doped with transition metal ions such as Zn2+, Mn2+ and Co2+ through a facile and inexpensive hydrothermal approach. The synthesized nanomaterials were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, SEM and UV-Vis analysis. The optical properties of the NPs were characterized by using UV–vis and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PLS). Their photocatalytic performances were investigated by degrading methylene blue (MB) dye with UV irradiation. Transition metal doping to SnO2 NPs improved the photocatalytic activity to degradation of methylene blue dye due to tuning of band gap energy i.e. lowering of band gap energy compared to undoped SnO2 NPs. The results suggest that the synthesized NPs could be used efficiently for remediation/degradation of environmentally hazardous dyes from waste water or environmental cleanup.