Formation of self-assembled defect-free Zn2SnO4 nanostructures from binary oxides without the Kirkendall effect

Abstract

In this Communication, we report a facile approach to synthesize a technologically important oxide Zn2SnO4 (ZTO) by a temperature-dependent solid-state reaction without the Kirkendall e ffect. Single-phase defect-free ZTO was formed upon calcination of a homogeneous 2:1 mixture of reactive ZnO rods and SnO2 nanoparticles at 1000°C. We also observed interesting photocatalytic and photovoltaic properties from the synthesized ZTO material.