Structural properties and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopic study of SnO2 nanoparticles

• Published in: Materials letters 2012-10, Vol.85, p.168-170
• Main Authors: Mahmoudi Chenari, H., Weinhardt, L., Rodriguez Lastra, N.S., Ernst, M.A., Reinert, F., Golzan, M.M., Hassanzadeh, A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: heat treatment; Nanoparticles; physicochemical properties; scanning electron microscopy; SEM; SnO2; stoichiometry; X-radiation; X-ray diffraction; X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy; XPS
• ISSN: 0167-577X; 1873-4979
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2012.06.073

SnO2 nanoparticles have been prepared by the sol–gel method using SnCl4 as a precursor and subsequent heat-treatment at 600°C. The structural and chemical properties were investigated using x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. We find SnO2 nanoparticles of tetragonal structure and sizes varying from 10 to 50nm. The composition of SnO2 nanoparticles is studied using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. We find a significant deviation from the bulk SnO2composition pointing towards a different surface stoichiometry or termination. ► We find a significant deviation from the bulk SnO2 composition pointing towards a different surface stoichiometry or termination by XPS method. The discrepancy between x-ray diffraction data and xps, can be explained by the fact that the SnO most likely exists at the surface of the particles and does not form a well ordered crystalline phase which would contribute to the diffraction data but likely represents a surface species with no long-range order.