PbS–SnO2 nanocomposite with enhanced magnetic, photocatalytic and antifungal properties

• Published in: Journal of materials science. Materials in electronics Vol. 29; no. 2; pp. 1065 - 1074
• Main Authors: Suganya, M., Balu, A. R., Prabha, D., Anitha, S., Balamurugan, S., Srivind, J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 2018; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemical synthesis; Chemistry and Materials Science; Crystallization; Dyes; Ferromagnetism; Functional groups; Fungicides; Lead; Lead sulfides; Magnetic properties; Materials Science; Nanocomposites; Optical and Electronic Materials; Photocatalysis; Photoluminescence; Thermodynamic properties; Tin; Tin dioxide
• ISSN: 0957-4522; 1573-482X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10854-017-8007-y

A cost effective chemical route is used to synthesize pure PbS, SnO 2 and PbS–SnO 2 nanocomposites. The thermal behavior, magnetic, photocatalytic and antifungal properties of the synthesized samples were investigated. The composite becomes well crystallized above 284 °C. Diffraction peaks related to PbS and SnO 2 were observed in the XRD pattern of the composite. EDX spectrum confirms the presence of the elements Pb, S, Sn and O in the composite. Functional groups related to Pb–S and Sn–O is evinced from the FTIR spectrum. Photoluminescence studies confirm that the PbS–SnO 2 nanocomposite has optical band gap value intermediate between pure PbS and SnO 2 nanopowders. Photocatalytic studies confirm that the PbS–SnO 2 composite have better degradation efficiency against methyl orange compared to that of pure PbS and SnO 2 nanopowders. Enhanced ferromagnetic behavior is observed for the composite. The composite had better antifungal efficiency against A. niger fungus strain.