Synthesis and photocatalytic activity of Zn₂SnO₄ nanotube arrays

Highly ordered Zn₂SnO₄ nanotubes have been fabricated via a convenient hydrothermal approach by using a ZnO nanorod array as the template. The tips of the as-prepared nanotubes are all round sealed and the wall thickness of the nanotubes is about 20 nm. The study of time-dependent reaction results indicates that the shape evolution from ZnO nanorods to Zn₂SnO₄ nanotubes could be driven by the Kirkendall effect. The Zn₂SnO₄ nanotubes were found to have highly efficient photocatalytic activity. A complete structural and morphological characterization of the products was performed based on the results of X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, cathodoluminescence, scanning electron microscopy, Raman and UV-Vis spectroscopy.