Electrochemical synthesis and characterization of bismuth pyrostannate nanoparticles for visible-light-driven photocatalysis

Bismuth pyrostannate (Bi2Sn2O7) nanocrystallines were synthesized via a direct electrochemical reaction at ambient temperature. The morphology, crystallinity, optical property and photo catalytic performance of the samples could be manipulated by varying the electric current densities. In the range of 0.10-0.80 A.cm(-2), nanoscale Bi2Sn2O7 crystallines with cubic structure and diverse morphologies were conveniently obtained, all exhibiting good absorption ability in UV and visible light region. Compared to Bi2Sn2O7 particles synthesized by hydrothermal method, the electrochemically synthesized Bi2Sn2O7 at 0.20 A.cm(-2) showed higher visible-light driven photocatalytic ability for the removal of rhodamine B. The enhanced photocatalytic activity is attributed to the lower band gap and higher specific area, which is propitious to the excellent adsorption capacity and the effective charge separation.