Facile fabrication of Dy(2)Sn(2)O(7)-SnO(2) nanocomposites as an effective photocatalyst for degradation and removal of organic contaminants.

Dy2Sn2O7-SnO2 nanocomposites were synthesized through a facile way utilizing propane-1,2-diol as novel polymerization agent and trimesic acid as new stabilization agent. Effects of different polymerization agents, calcination temperature and various stabilization agents on the size and shape of the Dy2Sn2O7-SnO2 nanocomposites were investigated. It was found that changing these synthesis factors has great role in controlling size and shape of Dy2Sn2O7-SnO2 nanocomposites. The as-produced Dy2Sn2O7-SnO2 nanostructures were analyzed using FT-IR, HRTEM, DR-UV-vis, EDS, XRD, and FESEM. This is the first attempt on the investigation of photocatalytic behavior of nanostructured Dy2Sn2O7-SnO2. The influences of Dy2Sn2O7-SnO2 amount and type of illumination light on the photocatalytic behavior of the nanocrystalline Dy2Sn2O7-SnO2 were also investigated. The ability for the decomposition of the water pollutants including eosin Y, eriochrome black T, erythrosine and methyl orange were studied through photocatalytic experiments.