Abstract
Sn doped ZnO loaded cotton stalk activated carbon (Sn–ZnO/CSAC) was prepared by chemical precipitation method, and the products were characterized. The XRD resultants confirm that the presence of hexagonal wurtzite phase of the bare ZnO. Furthermore, particular particle size gradually decreases (21.49 nm) due to doping and loading. UV–Vis absorption intensity of doped/loaded sample was red-shifted and then PL intensity is reduced. The photocatalytic performances of bare, Sn-doped ZnO and Sn–ZnO/CSAC was estimated by photodegradation of brilliant green (BG) under sunlight. The photodegradation of BG dye in 120 min over Sn-doped ZnO/CSAC is nearly 96.52%, which is considerably improved than bare ZnO (72.60%), respectively.
•Sn-doped ZnO loaded CSAC were synthesized by a chemical precipitation method.•Sn–ZnO/CSAC showed that the particle size, band gap are also reduced and increased surface area.•The Sn–ZnO/CSAC showed a higher photocatalytic activity than bare ZnO and, Sn doped ZnO in the decomposition of BG.