Comparison between two combustion routes for the synthesis of nanocrystalline SnO2 powders

Two nitrate-citrate gel combustion routes for the synthesis of nanocrystalline SnO2 powders were compared. Metallic tin and tin dichloride were used as raw materials. The combustion process was more intense for the metallic tin route, resulting in smaller crystallite size (10.5 nm) and higher specific surface area (49.4 m(2)/g). The presence of chloride ions in powders obtained by the tin dichloride route was also studied. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.