Insights into the solvothermal reaction for synthesizing tin(iv) oxide porous spheres

Abstract

The solvothermal synthesis of SnO₂ porous spheres was optimized by varying the reactants, solvents, additives, reaction temperature and reaction time. The products of these trials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. SnO₂ possessing a highly ordered spherical structure based on the aggregation of nanometer-sized primary particles was obtained using a simple one-pot solvothermal approach. These spheres were porous with a high specific surface area of more than 200 m² g⁻¹. The electrical conductivity of this material equaled or exceeded that of commercially available SnO₂. SnO₂-based spherical porous composites including various elements were easily synthesized by incorporating additional materials in the precursor solution.