Nanocomposites and nanomaterials

Features of TiO2-SnO2 nanocomposites creation 
Kutuzova A.S.1, Dontsova T.A.1
1 Department of Inorganic Substances, Water Purification and General Chemical Technology, National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”. Prospect Peremohy, 37, Kyiv-03056, Ukraine. 
E-mail: kutuzova.anasta@gmail.com

Although titanium (IV) oxide TiO2 has been widely studied, it still attracts a lot of attention as an effective photocatalyst with such unique properties as chemical stability, non-toxicity and low cost [1,2]. One of the most promising areas of investigations is enhancing the photocatalytic performance of TiO2 by coupling it with tin (IV) oxide SnO2 [2]. It is common knowledge, that preparation method has crucial influence on the properties of the obtained materials. Therefore, we found hydrolytic and hydrothermal synthesis methods to be the most appropriate for obtaining TiO2-based nanomaterials with required properties [1,2].
So, the aim of the research was to synthesize TiO2 and TiO2-SnO2 nanocomposites using different preparation methods and precursors. Hydrolytic synthesis was performed as described in [1,2] using TiCl4 and SnCl4 as precursors. Hydrothermal synthesis was performed using titanium (IV) isopropoxide and tin (IV) isopropoxide respectively. As a result, TiO2 and TiO2-SnO2 nanocomposites were obtained with different chemical and phase composition, which were analyzed by means of XRD, SEM, TEM, FTIR and N2 physisorption method [1,2].
The obtained nanomaterials demonstrated high photocatalytic activity towards anionic and cationic organic dyes. It was also found that hydrolytic method allows to get TiO2-SnO2 nanocomposites with SnO2 segregated phase, while hydrothermal treatment leads to the formation of rutile-type solid solutions [2]. From our point of view, it is necessary to synthesize TiO2-SnO2 nanocomposites with SnO2 phase located on the surface of TiO2 particles for further improvement of titanium (IV) oxide photocatalytic activity.

1.	Kutuzova A., Dontsova T. Synthesis, Characterization and Properties of Titanium Dioxide Obtained by Hydrolytic Method // 2017 IEEE 7th International Conference Nanomaterials: Application & Properties (NAP).-2017.-P. 286-290.
2.	Kutuzova A. S., Dontsova T. A. Characterization and properties of TiO2–SnO2 nanocomposites, obtained by hydrolysis method // Appl. Nanosci.-2018.-P. 1-8.