Nanocrystalline sol–gel TiO2–SnO2 coatings: Preparation, characterization and photo-catalytic performance

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer SnO{sub 2} additive enhanced significantly photo-catalytic properties of TiO{sub 2} based thin film for remove of organic compounds. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Structural and optical properties are dependent on dopant concentration. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer TiO{sub 2}-SnO{sub 2} nanocrystalline thin film is promising for photocatalytic properties in visible light. -- Abstract: In this study, preparation of SnO{sub 2} (0-30 mol% SnO{sub 2})-TiO{sub 2} dip-coated thin films on glazed porcelain substrates via sol-gel process has been investigated. The effects of SnO{sub 2} on the structural, optical, and photo-catalytic properties of applied thin films have been studied by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Surface topography and surface chemical state of thin films were examined by atomic force microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. XRD patterns showed an increase in peak intensities of the rutile crystalline phase by increasing the SnO{sub 2} content. The prepared Sn doped TiO{sub 2} photo-catalyst films showed optical absorption in the visible light area exhibited excellent photo-catalytic ability for the degradation of methylene blue under visible light irradiation. Best photo-catalytic activity of Sn doped TiO{sub 2} thin films was measured in the TiO{sub 2}-15 mol% SnO{sub 2} sample by the Sn{sup 4+} dopants presented substitution Ti{sup 4+} into the latticemore » of TiO{sub 2} increasing the surface oxygen vacancies and the surface hydroxyl groups.« less