Abstract
Coupled SnO2-Co3O4 nanocomposite has been prepared by a simple co-precipitation method. The prepared coupled composites were tested for photocatalytic reduction of Hg2+ under visible light. The characterization of catalyst properties was done by the means of X-ray diffraction, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, transmission electron microscopy, and ultraviolet-vis spectra. The presence of Co3O4 in a SnO2 composite can change the surface properties to achieve sensitivity to visible light. A coupled SnO2-Co3O4 nanocomposite can eliminate the recombination of electron-hole pairs in the catalyst. The results demonstrated that the optimum mol% of SnO2:Co3O4 was 1:3, as this resulted in the greatest performance of the photocatalyst and a reduction of about 100% of Hg2+ in a 100ppm solution in just 30min. Additionally, the quantum yield for Hg formation by 1Sn:3Co sample is higher than that of Co and Sn samples by about one and six times, respectively.