Characterization and Visible Light-driven Photocatalytic Activity of SnS2/BiVO4 Nanocomposites Prepared by Sonochemical-based Process

Abstract

Bismuth vanadate (BiVO₄) is a good candidate photocatalyst material with good activity under visible light exposure. The photodecomposition performance of BiVO₄ could be enhanced by combining it with compatible tin sulfide (SnS₂). In this work, the synthesis of SnS₂/BiVO₄ nanocomposite was carried out by sonochemical process at room temperature with varying concentration ratios of SnS₂:BiVO₄ (0.05:1, 0.10:1, 0.15:1, 0.50:1 and 1:1). The crystallinity and morphological features of as-synthesized powders demonstrate the majority of BiVO₄ monoclinic phase accompanying minority of SnS₂ rhombohedral phase. FE-SEM micrograph shows the irregular shape with various particle sizes. The optical band gap of the composite inquired by Kubellka-Munk calculation is about 2.6 eV. The photocatalytic performance of as-synthesized nanocomposite was evaluated by means of decomposition of organic dye under visible light irradiation. The 0.05:1 ratio of the SnS₂/BiVO₄ sample exhibits superior photocatalytic activity with 60% decomposition of Rhodamine-B organic dye within 120 minutes.

Keywords: Bismuth vanadate, Tin sulfide, Nanocomposite, Photocatalyst material