Effect of Sn precursor on the synthesis of SnO₂ and Sb-doped SnO₂ particles via polymeric precursor method

Abstract

SnO₂ and Sb-doped SnO₂ particles were synthesized using the polymeric precursor method with different Sn salt precursors: SnCl₂·2H₂O, SnCl₄·5H₂O, or Sn citrate. Sb₂O₃ was used as the precursor of Sb, and the molar ratio of n_Sn:n_Sb was held constant. FTIR and TGA/DTA were used to examine the influence of the Sn precursor on the formation and thermal decomposition of the Sn and Sn–Sb complexes. The calcination products obtained from heating the Sn and Sn--Sb complexes at 500°C in air were analyzed using XRD and TEM analysis. The results revealed that the SnO₂ and Sb-doped SnO₂ formation temperatures depended on the nature of the Sn precursor. The calcination products were found to be SnO₂ and Sb-doped SnO₂ particles, which crystallized in a tetragonal cassiterite structure with a highly preferred (110) planar orientation. The Sn precursor and the presence of Sb in the SnO₂ matrix strongly influenced the crystallinity and lattice parameters.

Keywords

SnO₂ and Sb-doped SnO₂ / Sn precursor / Pechini method / thermal decomposition / nanoparticle