Solvent Controlled Synthesis of Nano-catalysts for Pollutants

Hydrothermal method was used for the preparation of tin oxide nanoparticles in the presence of isoamyl alcohol as solvent for surface directing agent. The effect of varying concentration of precursor and solvent was studied while other parameter like time and temperature were kept constant throughout the experiments. The nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray Diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscope and Thermal Gravimetric analysis. Functional groups was confirmed by FTIR. Particle size was calculated by XRD analysis as well as TEM images while TGA gave information about the percentage weight loss with change in temperature. Morphology of particles was determined through SEM images. SnO2 nanoparticles were used as photocatalysts for the degradation of Methyl Green (MG), which is an abundant organic pollutant of industrial waste water. Degradation of MG under UV-Vis was also confirmed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). It was found that nanoparticles synthesized at different dielectric constant of solvent greatly influenced the rate of degradation.