Fabrication of pompon-like and flower-like SnO microspheres comprised of layered nanoflakes by anodic electrocrystallization

We report here a facile method to fabricate micro-nanostructured tin monoxide (SnO) at the smooth Sn electrode surface. Pompon-like and flower-like microspheres comprised of layered SnO nanoflakes can be prepared by anodic electrocrystallization under potential-controlled electrodissolution of Sn in a blank solution of NaOH. The effects of NaOH concentration, applied potential and polarization time on the formation of different SnO microspheres were investigated, and the electrocrystallization mechanism was discussed. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to characterize the micro-nanostructured SnO. The assembled films of microspheres or nanoflakes of SnO show lotus-like superhydrophobicity without any modification. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.