Size, morphology and optical properties of SnO2 nanoparticles synthesized by facile surfactant-assisted solvothermal processing

Spherical and dumbbell-shaped SnO2 nanoparticles were grown by a facile solvothermal using different amounts (0.5, 1 and 1.5 g) of three different surfactants (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, polyethylene glycol and sodium dodecyl sulfate) in ethylenediamine, serving as both a coordinating and an alkaline reagent. The average particle size, measured by powder X-ray diffraction, was determined to be similar to 3-6 nm and was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. The chemical structure of products was studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Morphologies and composition of products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, respectively. Optical properties of products were investigated by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopies. Finally, the formation mechanism of SnO2 nanoparticles is discussed. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.