Interaction of Alkaline Metal Cations with Oxidic Surfaces: Effect on the Morphology of SnO2 Nanoparticles

Reaction pathways to SnO2 nanomaterials through the hydrolysis of hydrated tin tetrachloride precursors were investigated. The products were prepared solvothermally starting from hydrated tin tetrachloride and various (e.g., alkali) hydroxides. The influence of the precursor base on the final morphology of the nanomaterials was studied. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) data indicated the formation of rutile-type SnO2. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies revealed different morphologies that were formed with different precursor base cations. Data from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations provide theoretical evidence that the adsorption of the cations of the precursor base to the faces of the growing SnO2 nanocrystals is crucial for the morphology of the nanostructures.