Facile one-pot preparation of α-SnWO₄/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanocomposite with improved visible light photocatalytic activity and anode performance for Li-ion batteries

Abstract

α-SnWO4/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanocomposite was prepared via a facile one-pot hydrothermal reaction between GO, SnCl2·2H2O and (NH4)5H5[H2(WO4)6]·H2O. A simultaneous reduction of GO to RGO and the formation of nanocrystalline α-SnWO4 on RGO was achieved without using any extra reducing agent. The as-prepared α-SnWO4/RGO nanocomposite was fully characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and N2-sorption BET surface area. The photocatalytic performance of the sample was investigated by the decomposition of Methyl Orange (MO) under visible light irradiation. The electrochemical properties of α-SnWO4/RGO and α-SnWO4 as anode materials were revealed for the first time. α-SnWO4/RGO nanocomposite showed improved photocatalytic activity and enhanced anode performance for Li-ion batteries as compared to pure α-SnWO4.