Synergistic Performance of ZnO/SnO2 Nanocomposites: Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications in Photocatalysis and Superoxide Radical Scavenger

• Published in: Journal of cluster science 2024-10, Vol.35 (7), p.2231-2242
• Main Authors: Guerram, Abdelmadjid, Laouini, Salah Eddine, Mohammed, Hamdi Ali, Hasan, Gamil Gamal, Tedjani, Mohammed Laid, Alharthi, Fahad, Menaa, Farid
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antioxidants; Biomedical materials; Catalysis; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Composite materials; Crystallites; Dyes; Efficiency; Environmental conditions; Environmental restoration; Fourier transforms; Infrared analysis; Inorganic Chemistry; Morphology; Nanochemistry; Nanocomposites; Nanoparticles; Optical properties; Original Paper; Oxidative stress; Photocatalysis; Photodegradation; Physical Chemistry; Pollutants; Scanning electron microscopy; Scavenging; Sol-gel processes; Spectrophotometry; Spectrum analysis; Synthesis; Tin; Tin dioxide; Toluidine blue; X-ray diffraction; Zinc oxide; Zinc oxides
• ISSN: 1040-7278; 1572-8862
• DOI: 10.1007/s10876-024-02642-9

This study investigates the synthesis, characterization, and application of ZnO/SnO 2 nanocomposite (ZnO/SnO 2 NC), focusing on their photocatalytic and antioxidant properties. The sol-gel technique was utilized for the synthesis of the ZnO/SnO 2 NC. Subsequent characterization was performed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and UV-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometry. The XRD analysis indicated crystallite dimensions of 15 nm for ZnO/SnO 2 and 21 nm for pure ZnO NPs. The photocatalytic efficiency was assessed by the degradation of Toluidine Blue (TB) and m-Toluidine Blue (m-TB) dyes. The ZnO/SnO 2 NC demonstrated degradation rates of 99% for both TB and m-TB within 120 and 140 min of sunlight exposure, respectively. Furthermore, the scavenging activity of superoxide radicals was evaluated, with the ZnO/SnO 2 NC exhibiting an Half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 48.12 µg∙mL − 1 , compared to 60.03 µg∙mL − 1 for pure ZnO. This research highlights the potential of ZnO/SnO 2 NC in environmental remediation and biomedical applications.