SnO2 nanoparticles with different aspect ratio and structural parameters: fabrication, photocatalytic efficiency dependences and fast organic dyes degradation

•SnO2 NPs with different aspect ratios were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions.•Oriented attachment NPs formation mechanism was considered using a computational approach.•Correlation between synthetic procedure and NPs structural parameters were demonstrated.•Methylene Blue and Rhodamine 6G fast degradation under UV irradiation was achieved.•Key parameter affected NPs photocatalytic efficiency at 25 and 60 °C was revealed. A synthetic approach to obtain nanoparticles of different sizes and shapes via hydrothermal treatment was developed. It was shown that hydrothermal treatment engage oriented attachment mechanism of nanoparticle formation. Obtained nanoparticles were filly characterized by a wide set of methods, their structural parameters were studied and correlations of later with the synthesis procedure were shown. A series of nanoparticles of various sizes and shapes were tested as photocatalysts for cyclic organic pollutants. Fast photodegradation (100% within 10 min) of methylene blue and rhodamine 6G under UV light was achieved. Degradation mechanism was studied, taking into account adsorption stage, pollutant-nanoparticle surface interactions and vacancies to defects ratio, involving computer calculations. A key factor affecting photocatalytic efficiency was revealed.