Synthesis and Photocatalytic Activity of One-dimensional ZnO-Zn2SnO4 Mixed Oxide Nanowires

Mixed oxide photocatalysts, ZnO-Zn2SnO4 (ZnO-ZTO) nanowires with different sizes were prepared by a simple thermal evaporation method. The ZnO-ZTO nanowires were characterized with a scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectrometer, and X-ray photoelectron spectrThe photocatalytic activity of the ZnO-ZTO mixed nanowires were studied by observing the photodegradation behaviors of methyl orange aqueous solution. The results suggest that the ZnO-ZTO mixed oxide nanowires have a higher photocatalytic activity than pure ZnO and Zn2SnO4 nanowires. The photocatalyst concentration in the solution distinctly affects the degradation rate, and our results show that higher photodegradation efficiency can be achieved with a smaller amount of ZnO-ZTO nanowire catalyst, as compared to the pure ZnO and ZTO nanowires. Moreover, the photocatalytic activity can also be enhanced by reducing the average diameter of the nanowires. The activity of pure ZnO and ZTO nanowires are also enhanced by physically mixing them. These results can be explained by the synergism between the two semiconductors.