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Decoration of 2D semiconductor structures with heterogeneous metal quantum dots has attracted considerable attention due to advanced optical, electrical, and catalytic properties that result from the large surface-to-volume ratio associated with these structures. Herein, we report on silver quantum dot decorated 2D SnO₂ nanoflakes for the photocatalytic abatement of water effluents, the synthesis of which was achieved through a straightforward and mild hydrothermal procedure. The photocatalysts were systematically investigated using UV−Vis, XRD, electron microscopy (SEM, HR-TEM), EDX, XPS and FTIR. The photocatalytic activity of the nanostructures was evaluated for the abatement of water pollutant rhodamine B (RhB), under light irradiation. The mild hydrothermal synthesis (100 °C) proved highly efficient for the production of large scale Ag quantum dot (QD)/SnO₂ nanoflakes for a novel photocatalytic application. The decoration of SnO₂ with Ag QDs significantly enhances the synergetic charge transfer, which diminishes the photo-induced electron-hole reunion. Moreover, the plasmonic effect from Ag QDs and 2D-SnO₂ structures acts as an electron tank to collect the photo-induced electrons, generating a Schottky barrier between the SnO₂ structures and quantum dots. Overall, this resulted in a facile and efficient degradation of RhB, with a rate double that of pristine SnO₂.