Optimized Zn2SnO4 nanoparticles with enhanced performance for photodetectors and photocatalysts

Abstract

In this study, Zn₂SnO₄ nanoparticles with different sizes are successfully synthesized by a very convenient hydrothermal process. To sufficiently characterize the as-synthesized Zn₂SnO₄ nanoparticles, XRD, FE-SEM, TEM, UV and BET analyses are carried out. Moreover, the photocurrent response and photocatalytic activity properties of various Zn₂SnO₄ nanoparticles have been studied. The results indicate that the photocurrent response and photodegradation efficiency behavior of the 3.3 nm Zn₂SnO₄ nanoparticles are significantly superior to that of the 4.2 nm and 6.2 nm nanoparticles. It is due to small particle size effects with large surface-to-volume ratios, which can increase the number of active surface sites.