Orange photoluminescence emission and multi-photon Raman scattering from microscale Zn2SnO4 tetrapods

Zinc stannate (Zn2SnO4) and zinc oxide (ZnO) tetrapods were synthesized in air atmosphere through a one-step, high-temperature, gas-solid process. Analysis of the samples' morphological and structural vibration properties were performed via scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy. Raman spectra show that Zn2SnO4 tetrapods are mainly distributed in the vicinity of the source material. The optical properties of the samples were studied using a fluorescence spectrometer, which showed that Zn2SnO4 tetrapods had an asymmetric, broad emission in the wavelength range of 450-800 nm. The mechanism of the broad emission is discussed.