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Abstract
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This work presents a sustainable and surfactant-free strategy for synthesizing photocatalytically active tin oxide nanoshells
(SnO2NSs) via pulsed laser ablation in liquid (PLAL) using chickpea extract as a phytochemical-rich medium. A Q-switched
Nd: YAG laser (λ = 1064 nm) operating at fluences of 7.53–37.67 J/cm2 generated well-defined crystalline core–shell
nanostructures with an average diameter of 13.6 ± 6.3 nm, as confirmed by Bio-TEM, SAED, and FTIR analyses. Optical
characterization revealed intense UV absorption at ~ 250 nm, dual fluorescence bands at ~ 360 and ~ 443 nm, and tunable
fluorescence quantum yields (0.13–0.24). SnO2NSs synthesized at an optimal fluence of 22.6 J/cm2 achieved 96.6%
degradation of methylene blue dye (MBD) within 150 min under UV irradiation. The superior photocatalytic activity was
attributed to nanoshell morphology, surface hydroxylation, and biomolecular capping, which synergistically enhanced
charge separation and reactive oxygen species generation. These findings demonstrate the synergy between laser-induced
nanostructuring and biofunctional stabilization, establishing SnO2NSs an innovative platform for next-generation nanophotocatalysts and advanced wastewater treatment applications.
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