Photochemical fabrication of SnO2 dense layers on reduced graphene oxide sheets for application in photocatalytic degradation of p-Nitrophenol

•A photochemical method was used to fabricate SnO2-reduced graphene oxide composite.•The composite contained two SnO2 dense layers and a reduced graphene oxide sheet.•It showed remarkably enhanced activity in photodegradation of p-nitrophenol.•The oxidation of p-nitrophenol obeyed a hydroxyl radical path.•The composite also had long-term stability due to the specific structure.