Physicochemical properties of Tin (IV) oxide synthesized by different methods and from different precursors

Abstract

The physicochemical properties of SnO2 obtained by different methods (sol–gel, solvothermal and CVD synthesis) from different precursors were investigated. The synthesized samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis, electron spectroscopy, FTIR, low-temperature nitrogen adsorption–desorption and their optical bandgap and volt-ampere characteristics were determined. It was shown that the synthesis method and its parameters have a significant effect on the properties of the obtained SnO2 powders. The type of reaction medium significantly affects structural and adsorption characteristics of samples. SnO2 synthesized by the solvothermal method is characterized by the smallest crystallite sizes, larger specific surface, and more diverse structural characteristics in comparison with the powders obtained by sol–gel and CVD methods. Mesoporous powders of tin (IV) oxide were obtained using sol–gel method, macroporous SnO2 monocrystalline powders were produced by CVD method. The found values of the optical bandgap for the tin (IV) oxide, obtained by different methods, differ from the theoretical bandgap value. The influence of all parameters on the electrical properties of SnO2 was observed.