Effect of processing on the particle size of tin oxide nano-powders

Abstract

Nano sized tin oxide powders have been synthesized via two different chemical routes namely solid-state and sol-gel route for the fabrication of tin oxide gas/odors sensor. The synthesized powders have been characterized by simultaneous thermo gravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The effect of synthesis routes have been investigated on particle size and morphology of tin oxide powders. Powder XRD patterns show that the synthesized powders have tetragonal (rutile) crystal structure. FESEM of formed thick films reveal that powder prepared by solid-state reaction route is less agglomerated as compared to the powder prepared by sol-gel route. XRD and FESEM indicate that there is the formation of tin oxide nanoparticles in the range of 15-50 nm. FTIR spectrums of synthesized powders show Sn-O or Sn-O-Sn stretching modes and its lattice modes at 615 and 494 cm-1. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.