One pot direct synthesis of mesoporous SnO2/SBA-15 nanocomposite by the hydrothermal method

We report a novel one step route for direct loading of SnO2 into the mesoporous framework of SBA-15 by simultaneous co-condensation of Sn precursor and silica source using the hydrothermal method. HRTEM images confirm that co-condensation of both Sn and silica species leads to uniform distribution of SnO2 nanoparticles in the framework of SBA-15 whereby retaining the mesoporous characteristics as confirmed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption–desorption and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. The mesoporous framework of SBA-15 does not collapse although the efficiency of SnO2 loading decreases with increment of SnO2 content in SBA-15. •In this work, we synthesize SBA-15 by the hydrothermal method.•SnO2/SBA-15 nanocomposite was synthesized by direct incorporation of Sn precursor in SBA-15.•Effect of SnO2 loading on the shrinkage of mesoporous framework was studied.•The synthesized nanocomposite is important in humidity sensing and photocatalytic applications.