Background and aims: Toluene is a toxic volatile organic compound that needs to be removed from contaminated air. Photocatalytic degradation is one of the techniqe available for removeing of compound. This study was performed to determine the efficiency of ZnO-SnO2/AC catalyst on the photocatalytic removal of toluene vapors.

Methods: In this experimental study, the characteristics of the produced catalyst were evaluated by determining the specific surface area using the BET method and examining the images obtained from scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The efficiency of toluene degradation was examined using the ZnO-SnO2 / AC catalyst under UV radiation. The effect of initial concentration of toluene and intensity of UV radiation on the degradation of toluene was studied as well.

Results: The results of specific surface area measurements and SEM images indicate that a proportion of the Zno-Sno2 nano-coupled oxides agglomerate on the AC, also entering into the pores. Also, the combination of AC with ZnO-SnO₂ nano-coupled oxides had a synergetic effect on the photocatalytic degradation of toluene. The results showed that the system efficiency decreases with increasing the initial concentration of toluene input. Furthermore, the removal efficiency of toluene positively associated with the intensity of ultraviolet radiation.

Conclusion: The study demonstrated that the ZnO-SnO2 / AC catalyst may be a practical and promising way to degrade the toluene under UV irradiation.