Synthesis and Applications of SnO Nanosheets: Parallel Control of Oxidation State and Nanostructure Through an Aqueous Solution Route

• Published in: Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany) Germany), 2010-03, Vol.6 (6), p.776-781
• Main Authors: Sakaushi, Ken, Oaki, Yuya, Uchiyama, Hiroaki, Hosono, Eiji, Zhou, Haoshen, Imai, Hiroaki
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aqueous solutions; batteries; Electric Power Supplies; Electricity; Electrochemical Techniques; Electrodes; Ions; Lithium - chemistry; Nanocomposites; Nanomaterials; Nanostructure; nanostructures; Nanostructures - chemistry; Oxidation-Reduction; Photocurrent; Photoelectric effect; Solutions; Spectrum Analysis; synthetic methods; Thin films; Tin Compounds - chemical synthesis; Tin Compounds - chemistry; tin oxide; Valence; Water - chemistry; X-Ray Diffraction
• ISSN: 1613-6810; 1613-6829; 1613-6829
• DOI: 10.1002/smll.200902207

Tin monoxide (SnO) nanosheets 5 nm in thickness are generated on substrates through an aqueous solution process under mild conditions. Parallel control of the oxidation state and morphology is achieved by a urea‐mediated approach in aqueous solution. The SnO nanosheets form a porous thin film on substrates such as indium tin oxide and carbon nanofiber (CNF). The porous thin film of SnO nanosheets shows cathodic photocurrent generation upon irradiation by UV and visible light. In contrast, the photocurrent is not observed in the bulk SnO microcrystals. Composites of the SnO nanosheets and CNF perform as the anode material of lithium‐ion batteries with improved charge–discharge reversible stability. A porous thin film of tin monoxide nanosheets is formed under mild conditions through an aqueous solution route at low temperature. The nanostructures induce photocurrent generation upon irradiation by UV/visible light and perform as the anode material of lithium‐ion batteries with improved cycle stability.