Sunlight Induced Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue Dye by SnS2 Nanoplates Under Natural Sunlight Exposure

Abstract

Removal of dyes from water bodies is a significant concern throughout the world. In this study, SnS2 nanoplates were synthesized by a hydrothermal synthetic route at 160°C, and it is effectively  characterized by various techniques. The XRD peaks confirmed the hexagonal planes of SnS2. The  nanoplates-like morphology was revealed by FESEM and HRTEM. The optical band gap was  investigated by UV-vis DRS and showed a reflection edge with corresponding energy at 2.2 eV. The  photocatalytic activity of the SnS2 nanoplates is tested against the degradation of methylene blue under  natural sunlight irradiation. About 95% degradation of methylene blue is observed in 120 min with the  photocatalytic degradation rate of 0.021min-1. Results confirmed that the SnS2nanoplatescould facilitate 95  % degradation of methylene dye and followed the first-order kinetic model.