Insights of preferred growth, elemental and morphological properties of BN/SnO2 composite for photocatalytic applications towards organic pollutants
Boron nitride (BN) has been explored these days because of its extraordinary optical, chemical and mechanical properties. BN is sensitive to its crystal structure that slight change in lattice parameters enormously change its properties. Present study deals with synthesis, characterization as well as photocatalytic applications of BN-based composite. When boron nitride was mixed with SnO2 having tetragonal crystal structure, dissociation into smaller sheets occurred and the material oriented to (102) plane. SnO2 particles attached both sides of BN sheets provided high surface area which make the material suitable for catalytic process. Presence of large number of active sites leads to the formation of hydroxyl radicals in BN/SnO2 composite which helps during degradation of organic and colourless pollutants i.e. methyl orange dye up-to ~92% under 7 minutes and salicylic acid in 40 minutes to ~82%. Results suggested that BN/SnO2 composite material possesses good capability for use in environmental as well as industrial applications.