In Situ Growth of Tin Oxide Nanowires, Nanobelts, and Nanodendrites On the Surface of Iron-Doped Tin Oxide/Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites

Iron (Fe)-doped tin oxide/multiwalled carbon nanotube (SnO2/MWCNT) nanocomposites was prepared by using the SnCl2 Solution method. SnO2 nanowires, nanobelts, and nanodendrites were directly synthesized on the surface of Fe-doped SnO2/MWCNT nanocomposites by calcination of the nanocomposites at 800 degrees C under an Ar atmosphere. The Fe-doped SnO2/MWCNT nanocomposites and the prepared SnO2 nanomaterials were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, and X-ray diffraction. A growth mechanism of the SnO2 nanomaterials was proposed and discussed. The as-prepared SnO2 nanomaterials exhibited good gas-sensing properties and strong ultraviolet photoluminescence emissions. This technique provides a general, easy, and convenient approach for in situ preparation of SnO2 nanomaterials on the desired substrates and nanodevices.