Abstract:
In the present study SnO2/CdS nanocomposites were synthesized using different concentrations
of precursors through thermal decomposition method. The nanocomposites were synthesized
by two ways: (i) using multiple precursors for CdS i.e. cadmium acetate and thiourea, and (ii)
using bis(thiourea) cadmium acetate complex as a single molecular precursor for CdS. The
SnO2/CdS nanocomposites were then characterized by P-XRD, FT-IR spectroscopy,
thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy
dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA), BET-surface area measurements, diffuse reflectance
spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopic analysis (TEM). Congo red dye, a water
pollutant and is hazardous to human life was successfully adsorbed by SnO2/CdS
nanocomposites synthesized using multiple precursors. The adsorption efficiency of the
nanocomposites is better as compared to pure SnO2 and CdS nanoparticles. Also, these
nanocomposites were used for the photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B and the
performance of the nanocomposites synthesized using multiple precursors and single molecular
precursor, was compared.
