https://doi.org/10.1140/epjb/s10051-025-01099-7
Research - Condensed Matter
Exploring the impact of Ag doping on improving the photocatalytic performance of SnO2 nanoparticles for dye degradation
1
Department of Physics, Mother Teresa Women’s University, 624102, Kodaikanal, India
2
Department of Physics, Arulmigu Palaniandavar College of Arts and Culture, 624602, Palani, India
3
Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to be University), 600078, Chennai, India
4
Center for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College and Hospitals, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMTS), Thandalam, 602105, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
5
Department of Chemistry, Karpagam Academy of Higher Education, 641021, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
6
Centre for Material Chemistry, Karpagam Academy of Higher Education, 641021, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
7
Instituto de Alta Investigación, Universidad de Tarapacá, 1000000, Arica, Chile
8
School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, 38541, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea
a
mtwuprabha1980@gmail.com
b
manikandan.frsc@gmail.com
Received:
20
June
2025
Accepted:
19
November
2025
Published online:
2
December
2025
Silver-modified tin oxide (SnO2) nanomaterials with different amounts of additive (1, 3, and 5%) were prepared through a simple co-precipitation method to enhance their efficiency in photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue under UV–visible light irradiation. Structural characterization by X-ray diffraction confirmed the formation of a tetragonal rutile phase of SnO2 and in addition distinct reflections corresponding to face-centered cubic (FCC) phase of silver were observed upon doping, indicating the development of a dual-phase system comprising SnO2 and metallic Ag with crystallite sizes ranging from 12 to 24 nm. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the functional group of the synthesized samples by revealing metal–oxygen bonding and surface hydroxyl groups. UV–Vis spectroscopy revealed a blue shift in the absorption edge and an increase in band gap energy with Ag incorporation, suggesting quantum confinement and reduced defect states. Scanning electron microscopy revealed agglomerated flake-like morphologies, and EDX verified the even distribution of Sn, O, and Ag, supporting compositional purity. Thermal analysis (TGA/DTA/DSC) showed melting point reduction upon increased dopant concentration, supporting the increased thermal stability. Photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation indicated that the highest degradation efficiency (81.53%) against methylene blue was achieved by 1% Ag-doped SnO2 due to enhanced charge carrier separation and localized surface plasmon resonance effects at low Ag concentration. These findings illustrate that fine-tuning Ag content is essential in achieving maximum photocatalytic efficiency in environmental remediation technologies.
Copyright comment Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to EDP Sciences, SIF and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2025
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
