Preparation of nanocrystalline Sn–TiO2−X via a rapid and simple stannous chemical reducing route

The Sn–TiO2−X nanoparticles have been prepared via a rapid and simple stannous chemical reducing method. The as-prepared Sn–TiO2−X nanoparticles were investigated by means of surface photovoltage spectroscopy (SPS), XPS, and DRS technology as well as photocatalytic degradation of RhB were studied under illumination. The experiment results revealed that the reduction of the TiO2 particles raised their Fermi level, which can enhance the driven force of photoinduced electrons transferring from TiO2 to adsorbed O2 and SnO2 on the surface of TiO2. On the other hand, the amount of oxygen vacancies of the Sn–TiO2−X increased after the stannous chemical reduction. The oxygen vacancies can also effectively inhibit the recombination of photoinduced electrons and holes pairs. These factors are favorable to the photocatalytic reaction.