A Simple Precursor-Assisted Preparation of Flowerlike SnO₂ Nanostructures

Abstract

A simple dissolution-renucleation process of SnC₂O₄ crystals was explored to prepare SnO₂ nanostructures. By controlling supersaturation of SnC₂O₄ crystals, nucleus surface/solution interfacial energy, and other reaction parameters, including concentration of a reactant, volume of water, and the amount of poly(ethyleneglycol), a series of SnC₂O₄ nanostructures could be obtained. A dissolution-renucleation growth mechanism of the flowerlike SnC₂O₄ nanostructures was suggested and discussed in detail. The results showed that the poly(ethyleneglycol) played an important role in tuning the SnC₂O₄ nanostructures. Meanwhile, high concentration of SnCl₂ in the mixed solvent of ethanol and poly(ethyleneglycol), and a large amount of water were favorable to the formation of the flowerlike SnC₂O₄.

Keywords:

• Dissolution-renucleation
• mechanism
• nanostructures
• SnC₂O₄
• SnO₂

The authors wish to thank Prof. Dongjin Qian, Department of Chemistry, Fudan University of China, for his kind help in measuring the TG and DSC analyses of the samples.