The fabrication of 1ZS7 (Zn:Sn molar ratio 0.4:1 M), 2ZS7 (Zn:Sn molar ratio 0.7:1 M) and 3ZS7 (Zn:Sn molar ratio 1:1 M) nanocomposites (NCs) was accomplished through a simple hydrothermal method utilizing different amounts of zinc oxide precursor. The resulting samples were denoted as 1ZS7, 2ZS7, and 3ZS7 corresponding to increasing ZnO precursor concentrations while maintaining a fixed SnO2 content. The structural and morphological properties of the resulting nanomaterials were comprehensively analyzed using an array of characterization techniques. These included X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–Vis.DRS), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy combined with selected-area electron diffraction (HRTEM-SAED), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). XRD studies confirmed the crystalline nature of the NCs, exhibiting well-defined diffraction peaks attributed to tetragonal SnO2 and hexagonal wurtzite ZnO phases. The average crystallite size of pure SnO2 was 8 nm. With increasing ZnO precursor concentration, a systematic decrease in crystallite size from 21 to 16 nm was observed. FTIR spectroscopy validated the formation of Sn–O and Zn–O bonds, evidenced by distinct absorption bands at 623 cm⁻1 and 490 cm⁻1, respectively. FE-SEM and HRTEM images further supported the spherical morphology of the nanoparticles. The surface characteristics of the 1ZS7 sample were examined using BET analysis, and the specific surface area was determined to be 65.6 m2 g⁻1. UV-DRS analysis, employing the Kubelka–Munk function, revealed bandgap energies of 2.88 eV, 2.98 eV, and 3.06 eV, highlighting the tunable optical properties influenced by compositional variations. The elemental composition, affirming the presence of Sn, Zn, and O, was verified by both energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses. Electrochemically, the 1ZS7 electrode displayed exceptional performance, attaining a specific capacitance of 483 Fg⁻1 at a current density of 0.5 Ag⁻1. This electrode also exhibited notable cyclic durability, maintaining 90% of its original capacitive performance over 2000 consecutive charge–discharge cycles. The composite electrode also demonstrated a substantial energy density of 38.64 Wh kg⁻1, coupled with a power density of 1199 W kg⁻1, when measured at an equivalent current density. Beyond its energy storage capabilities, the 1ZS7 NCs was evaluated for its photocatalytic efficacy in the degradation of methyl violet dye under visible light irradiation. In this capacity, it displayed remarkable performance, facilitating a 93% reduction in dye concentration. This study successfully outlines a novel strategy for enhancing the multifunctional utility of ZnO/SnO2 NCs, thereby highlighting their significant promise for dual applications in advanced electrochemical energy storage and photocatalytic environmental remediation.

Hydrothermally synthesized ZnO/SnO₂ composites with impressive photocatalytic and electrochemical performances

期刊论文
发表日期：

2026年8月3日

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T. Nesavi,
L. Balu,
R. Ezhil Pavai

摘要

The fabrication of 1ZS7 (Zn:Sn molar ratio 0.4:1 M), 2ZS7 (Zn:Sn molar ratio 0.7:1 M) and 3ZS7 (Zn:Sn molar ratio 1:1 M) nanocomposites (NCs) was accomplished through a simple hydrothermal method utilizing different amounts of zinc oxide precursor. The resulting samples were denoted as 1ZS7, 2ZS7, and 3ZS7 corresponding to increasing ZnO precursor concentrations while maintaining a fixed SnO₂ content. The structural and morphological properties of the resulting nanomaterials were comprehensively analyzed using an array of characterization techniques. These included X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–Vis.DRS), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy combined with selected-area electron diffraction (HRTEM-SAED), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). XRD studies confirmed the crystalline nature of the NCs, exhibiting well-defined diffraction peaks attributed to tetragonal SnO₂ and hexagonal wurtzite ZnO phases. The average crystallite size of pure SnO₂ was 8 nm. With increasing ZnO precursor concentration, a systematic decrease in crystallite size from 21 to 16 nm was observed. FTIR spectroscopy validated the formation of Sn–O and Zn–O bonds, evidenced by distinct absorption bands at 623 cm⁻¹ and 490 cm⁻¹, respectively. FE-SEM and HRTEM images further supported the spherical morphology of the nanoparticles. The surface characteristics of the 1ZS7 sample were examined using BET analysis, and the specific surface area was determined to be 65.6 m² g⁻¹. UV-DRS analysis, employing the Kubelka–Munk function, revealed bandgap energies of 2.88 eV, 2.98 eV, and 3.06 eV, highlighting the tunable optical properties influenced by compositional variations. The elemental composition, affirming the presence of Sn, Zn, and O, was verified by both energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses. Electrochemically, the 1ZS7 electrode displayed exceptional performance, attaining a specific capacitance of 483 Fg⁻¹ at a current density of 0.5 Ag⁻¹. This electrode also exhibited notable cyclic durability, maintaining 90% of its original capacitive performance over 2000 consecutive charge–discharge cycles. The composite electrode also demonstrated a substantial energy density of 38.64 Wh kg⁻¹, coupled with a power density of 1199 W kg⁻¹, when measured at an equivalent current density. Beyond its energy storage capabilities, the 1ZS7 NCs was evaluated for its photocatalytic efficacy in the degradation of methyl violet dye under visible light irradiation. In this capacity, it displayed remarkable performance, facilitating a 93% reduction in dye concentration. This study successfully outlines a novel strategy for enhancing the multifunctional utility of ZnO/SnO₂ NCs, thereby highlighting their significant promise for dual applications in advanced electrochemical energy storage and photocatalytic environmental remediation.

Hydrothermally synthesized ZnO/SnO2 composites with impressive photocatalytic and electrochemical performances

摘要

Hydrothermally synthesized ZnO/SnO₂ composites with impressive photocatalytic and electrochemical performances