Studies on single step facile growth of different tin oxide nanostructures at room temperature

Abstract

Herein, tin oxide (SnO and SnO₂) nanostructures in the form of granules, microsheets and their self-assembled flower-like morphology have been reported. The samples have been prepared by a simple single step chemical route at room temperature on a large scale. The crystalline phase, microstructural and optical properties of the nanostructures have been characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The effects of precursor concentration and reaction route on the structural, morphological and optical properties of the as synthesized sample have been investigated. The phase transition from crystalline tetragonal phases of SnO to SnO₂ has been observed as an effect of variation in NaOH concentration. The optical band gap of material has been found to be 3.05 and 3.64 eV for SnO and SnO₂, respectively. The isolated porous microspheres of SnO with diameters ranging from 12-15 µm have been observed. The growth mechanism of different morphologies has been discussed.