LAUSR

Abstract SnO/SnO2 composites were synthesised through a simple solid-phase grinding-assisted ultrasonic reaction by using SnCl2 and NH4HCO3 as raw materials. Results showed that SnCl2 reacted with NH4HCO3 to form Sn6O4(OH)4 and NH4Cl through solid-phase grinding. Sn6O4(OH)4 was subsequently hydrolysed to SnO nanosheets. A small amount of SnO grains was transformed to SnO2. Different treatment processes played important roles in the composition, microstructural morphology and photocatalytic activity of SnO/SnO2 composites. The direct ultrasonication of ground products yielded microspheres comprising numerous SnO nanosheets and SnO2 nanoparticles with excellent visible photocatalytic properties, which can degrade 93.5% of methyl orange within 75 min.