Synthesis, structural properties and catalytic activity of MgO-SnO2 nanocatalysts

Surfactant controlled synthesis of magnesium oxide-tin oxide (MgO-SnO 2 ) nanocatalysts was carried out via the hydrothermal method. Concentration of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was varied while all other reaction conditions were kept constant same for this purpose. Furthermore, MgO-SnO 2 nanocatalysts were also prepared by changing the precursor’s concentration. These precursors are magnesium nitrate Mg(NO 3 ) 2 · 6H 2 O and tin chloride (SnCl 4 · 5H 2 O). The influence of these reaction parameters on the sizes and morphology of the nanocatalysts were studied by using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscopy-Energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX), Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission electron microscopy and Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). The catalytic efficiency of MgO-SnO 2 was checked against 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH), which is an explosive compound. The nanocatalysts were found as a good catalyst to degrade the DNPH. Catalytic activity of nanocatalysts was observed up to 19.13% for the degradation DNPH by using UV-spectrophotometer.