Cauliflower-like strontium-doped SnO₂ nanoparticles for photocatalytic degradation

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) cauliflower-shaped Strontium (Sr)-doped SnO₂ nanoparticles were synthesised at ambient temperature through a simple co-precipitation technique. The 3D cauliflower-shaped 7 wt-% Sr-doped SnO₂ nanoparticles increase light harvesting features and also promote electron transport across grain boundaries. 3D cauliflower-shaped Sr-doped SnO₂ nanoparticles offer low charge transfer resistance, which is validated by the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy spectrum. XRD studies of SnO₂ and Sr-doped SnO₂ have revealed a tetragonal structure, and PL spectra corroborate the greater charge splitting. This study may be the first ever report on the 3D microstructure of cauliflower-shaped 7 wt-% Sr-doped SnO₂ nanoparticles that demonstrated higher photocatalytic activity under visible-light for MB dye solution.

KEYWORDS:

• Strontium
• 3D nanostructure
• electrochemical impedance spectra
• photocatalysis

Acknowledgements

The author S. Vallimeena would like to thank Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Abisekapatti, Tirunelveli-627 012 Tamilnadu, India for undertaking the pre-doctoral degree (Register No. 18221282132007). We also thank the Department of Physics, St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Palayamkottai, Tamilnadu for providing facilities for the fulfilment of the research work.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.