Thermal diffusion synthesis and characterization of SnO2 clusters within ZSM-5 crystals

Abstract

We used thermal diffusion to load SnO2 into ZSM-5 crystals as it is regarded as a good host material for semiconductor guest encapsulation. The experiments were carried out at 750 and 850 °C in air. A series of tests were conducted to investigate the basic physical chemistry properties such as chemical composition, crystal images, crystal phase and photoluminescence. An intense porosity analysis based on density functional theory was used to investigate the pore texture of the SnO2-loaded samples. We demonstrate that the SnO2 clusters are located within ZSM-5 instead of on the surface of the crystals. The SnO2 content increases as the thermal diffusion temperature rises. The SnO2 clusters are mainly distributed within the ZSM-5 channels. The sample with a low SnO2 content at 750 °C possesses good visible light transmittance and displays good photoluminescence behavior, which makes it a promising material for functionalization and for device-based applications. © Editorial office of Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica.