Photocatalytic-degradation of organic dye and removal of heavy metal ions using synthesized SnO2 nanoparticles by Vitex agnus-castus fruit via a green route

Publication date: Available online 26 December 2019Source: Materials LettersAuthor(s): J. Ebrahimian, M. Mohsennia, M. KhayatkashaniAbstractThe SnO2 nanoparticles (NPs) have been successfully synthesized by green synthesis method using Vitex agnus-castus fruit extract. The structural properties of prepared NPs were investigated, indicating homogeneous size distribution of spherically shaped NPs with an average particle size of 8 nm. The photocatalytic activity of the SnO2 NPs for degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) dye in aqueous solution under UV irradiation has been investigated. According the results, the dye degradation efficiency reached 91.7% at 298 K within 190 min. The SnO2 NPs were also used as an adsorbent for removal of heavy-metal ions of Co+2 from its aqueous solutions. The removal efficiency was obtained to be higher than 94% at 298 K after 60 min.Graphical abstract
Source: Materials Letters - Category: Materials Science Source Type: research