Synthesis of Fe 2 O 3 @SnO 2 Core‐shell Nanocomposites via Thermal Decomposition Route and their Application as an Adsorbent

Abstract In the current study, a thermal decomposition approach has been used to synthesize Fe 2 O 3 @SnO 2 core‐shell nanocomposites in which Fe 2 O 3 microsphere is the core and SnO 2 is the shell. The thickness of shell (SnO 2 ) is altered by varying amount of tin chloride pentahydrate (precursor of SnO 2 ). Various characterization techniques were used to prove successful formation of Fe 2 O 3 @SnO 2 core‐shell nanocomposites. XRD results confirm the presence of SnO 2 , α‐Fe 2 O 3, and Fe 3 O 4 in the calcined Fe 2 O 3 @SnO 2 core‐shell nanocomposites. FE‐SEM and TEM studies reveal uniform deposition of SnO 2 nanoparticles over the iron oxide microspheres. XPS analysis demonstrates the presence of Sn 4+ , Fe 2+ , Fe 3+ , and O 2− in the Fe 2 O 3 @SnO 2 core‐shell nanocomposites. Optical studies show that the Fe 2 O 3 @SnO 2 core‐shell nanocomposites absorb in UV and visible regions. M−H studies on Fe 2 O 3 @SnO 2 core‐shell nanocomposites indicate weak ferromagnetic and superparamagnetic behaviour of the nanocomposites at 5 K and 300 K, respectively. From M−T measurements, pure α‐Fe 2 O 3 shows characteristic Morin transition (T m ), but the Fe 2 O 3 @SnO 2 core‐shell nanocomposites do not show such transition. The Fe 2 O 3 @SnO 2 core‐shell nanocomposites were explored as adsorbent for the removal of congo red (CR) from an aqueous solution.