Solar‐Light‐Driven Photocatalytic Activity of Novel Sn@C‐Dots‐Modified TiO 2 Catalyst

The photocatalytic activity of titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) has already been investigated and compared with that of other materials. The main goal of the current study is to functionalize TiO 2 with tin‐doped carbon dots (Sn@C‐dots/TiO 2 ) and explore the activity of this composite as a photocatalyst for the photodegradation of dye molecules. The new composite Sn@C‐dots/TiO 2 was prepared by a two‐step sonochemical reaction: a) Formation of Sn@C‐dots by ultrasonic irradiation of molten tin immersed in polyethylene glycol at 260 °C; b) Addition of TiO 2 and further sonication to induce the adhesion of the Sn@C‐dots on the surface of the TiO 2 . The resulting composite was examined as a photocatalyst for the photodegradation of methylene blue and crystal violet under solar radiation and was found to exhibit better activity than commercial TiO 2 or C‐dots/TiO 2 . Doping C‐dots with Sn and making hybrid Sn@C‐dots/TiO 2 nanocomposites opens a new type of photocatalytic materials.