Chemical synthesis and characterization of hydrous tin oxide (SnO 2:H2O) thin films

Abstract

In the present investigation, we report chemical synthesis of hydrous tin oxide (SnO2:H2O) thin films by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method at room temperature (∼300 K). The films are characterized for their structural and surface morphological properties. The formation of nanocrystalline SnO2 with porous and agglomerated particle morphology is revealed from X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies, respectively. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) study confirmed the formation of Sn-O phase and hydrous nature of the deposited film. Static water contact angle studies showed the hydrophilic nature of SnO2:H2O thin film. Electrical resistivity showed the semiconducting behaviour with room temperature electrical resistivity of 105 Ω cm. The electrochemical properties studied in 0.5 M Na2SO4 electrolyte showed a specific capacitance of 25 F g-1 at 5 mVs-1 scan rate. © Indian Academy of Sciences.