Silver-doped SnO ₂ nanostructures for photocatalytic water splitting and catalytic nitrophenol reduction

Abstract

Driven by the quest of renewable and clean energy sources, researchers around the globe are seeking solutions to replace non-renewable fossil fuels to meet the ever-increasing energy supply requirements and solve the relevant environment concerns.

Abstract

Driven by the quest for renewable and clean energy sources, researchers all around the globe are seeking solutions to replace non-renewable fossil fuels to meet the ever-increasing energy supply requirements and solve the relevant environmental concerns. In this study, as a promising photocatalyst, silver-doped SnO ₂ (Ag–SnO ₂) nanoparticles (NPs) (1%, 2.5%, and 5%) were synthesized without any additives by employing a simple and environmentally friendly modified hydrothermal route. The optical bandgap was found to be 3.15, 3.08, and 3.00 eV for the 1%, 2.5%, and 5% Ag–SnO ₂, respectively. The surface area was found to be 85, 54, and 53 m ² g ⁻¹ for the 1%, 2.5%, and 5% Ag–SnO ₂, respectively. The studies showed the H ₂-production rate of the 1% Ag–SnO ₂ NPs from photocatalytic water splitting was 19.04 mmol g ⁻¹, which was much higher than that of the 2.5% and 5% Ag–SnO ₂ NPs. Furthermore, all of the as-synthesized Ag–SnO ₂ NPs could significantly reduce 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP), especially the 5% Ag–SnO ₂ NPs, which exhibited exceptional performance in its catalytic activity, reducing 4-NP to 4-AP in just 5.5 min. Our report elucidates the efficient photocatalytic and catalytic performance of Ag–SnO ₂ NPs for hydrogen-evolution and organic-degradation conversion reactions.