Photocatalytic Degradation of RB dye via Cerium substituted SnO2 Photocatalysts

•Using a sol–gel method, Ce-doped SnO2 nanoparticles were successfully synthesized.•The crystallite size of the synthesized samples lies in the range of 12.24–10.69 nm.•The HRTEM determined particle size distribution within the range of 13.45–10.42 nm.•Magnetization was shown to rise with increasing Ce content.•As dopant concentration increases, the band gap reduces from 3.71 eV to 3.01 eV.•96% degradation of RB dye was achieved in 60 min under UV irradiation.