Synthesis of Bi2Sn2O7 and enhanced photocatalytic activity of Bi2Sn2O7 hybridized with C3N4

Abstract

Bi₂Sn₂O₇ photocatalysts were synthesized by a hydrothermal method. Bi₂Sn₂O₇ photocatalysts showed highly efficient photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methylene blue under visible light irradiation. Kinetic studies using radical scavenger technologies suggested that holes were the dominant photooxidants. After hybridization with C₃N₄, the photocatalytic activity of Bi₂Sn₂O₇ was obviously enhanced. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of the C₃N₄/Bi₂Sn₂O₇ photocatalysts could be attributed to the effective separation of the photogenerated e⁻/h⁺ pairs. The photogenerated holes on the valence band of Bi₂Sn₂O₇ can transfer to the highest occupied molecular orbital of C₃N₄via the well developed interface, causing a reduction in the probability of e⁻/h⁺ recombination; consequently, large numbers of photogenerated holes led to enhancing the photocatalytic activity.