Synthesis of SnO2-activated carbon fiber hybrid catalyst for the removal of methyl violet from water

•A new biomass route for the synthesis of SnO2/ACF hybrid catalyst was proposed.•The original fibrous structure of kapok fiber was retained in the SnO2/ACF hybrid catalyst.•SnO2/ACF hybrid catalyst exhibited high BET surface area (647–897m2/g) and large pore volume (0.36–0.56cm3g−1).•High microwave-induced catalytic activity for methyl violet degradation was obtained. SnO2/activated carbon fiber (ACF) hybrid catalyst was synthesized from kapok precursor via a two-step process involving pore-fabricating and self-assembly of SnO2 nanoparticles. The morphology and phase structure of the obtained samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscope, high resolution transmission electron microscopy and N2 adsorption-desorption isotherm. These results demonstrated that the synthesized SnO2/ACF retained the hollow-fiber structure of kapok fibers. SnO2 nanoparticles dispersed uniformly over the ACF support. The obtained hybrid catalyst showed porous structure with high surface area (647–897m2/g) and large pore volume (0.36–0.56cm3g−1). In addition, the catalytic activities of the obtained samples for methyl violet degradation under microwave irradiation were also evaluated. It was found that the SnO2/ACF catalyst exhibited high catalytic activity for methyl violet degradation due to the synergistic effect of microwave and SnO2/ACF catalyst.