Abstract: Two different preparation methods were developed to cover successfully multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) with tin-dioxide (SnO₂) nanoparticles using SnCl₂·2H₂O as precursor under different solvent conditions. The applied mass ratios of the components were 1:4, 1:8, 1:16, 1:32 and 1:64, respectively. As-prepared tin-dioxide coverages were characterized by TEM, SEM, SEM-EDX, Raman microscopy, BET and X-ray diffraction techniques. Photocatalytic efficiencies of selected composites were investigated in a self-made photoreactor, equipped with UV-A fluorescence lamps. Photocatalytic degradation of phenol solution was followed by using HPLC. Observations revealed that using hydrothermal method we can easily control the layer of SnO₂nanoparticleson the surface of MWCNTs. Using various solvents SnO₂nanoparticles with different morphologies formed. The nanocomposites have low photocatalytic efficiencies under conditions used generally (when λ>300 nm).

Keywords: Carbon nanotubes, chemical synthesis, electron microscopy, IR spectroscopy, photocatalysis.