Synthesis of tin phosphides (Sn4P3) and their high photocatalytic activities

Abstract

Tin phosphides (Sn₄P₃) with different shapes were successfully synthesized via a solvothermal method, using N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) as solvent in the presence of NaBH₄. The phases and morphologies of the products were characterized by means of X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was found that the sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) played an important role in the formation of Sn₄P₃ with different shapes. Furthermore, research also showed that both of the as-prepared Sn₄P₃ catalysts could photocatalytically degrade some typical organic dyes such as Safranine T, Methylene Blue, Methyl Orange and Pyronine B. In order to investigate the correlation between properties and shapes, the photocatalytic degradation abilities and selectivities of two different phosphides for organic dyes were discussed.