Template Synthesis of SnO2 Hollow Microspheres and Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity

Abstract

The paper describes a methodology for fabricating hollow microspheres of tin dioxide by utilizing carbonaceous saccharide microspheres as templates. The fabricated SnO2 microspheres exhibit uniform morphology and high crystallinity, which were verified with X-ray diffraction analyses and electron microscopy images. Through controlling different solvent and heating rate, we can accurately control the uniformity, dispersion and surface morphology of the hollow microspheres. Additionally, the study explored the utilization of the prepared SnO2 hollow microspheres and SnO2 nanoparticles in the degradation of Rhodamine B as detected by ultraviolet ray. Test data results indicated that the photocatalytic efficiency of SnO2 hollow microspheres surpassed that of the nanoparticles, attributed to the former’s multi-level reflection of light, resulting in effective light utilization. The hollow SnO2 microspheres can serve as an excellent candidate for a photocatalyst, and this controllable yet sample synthesis route is anticipated to be employed for production of numerous hollow metal oxide structures with superior photoelectric properties.