Preparation of high surface area tin oxide powders by a homogeneous precipitation method

Tin oxide powders were synthesized by a homogeneous precipitation method using urea from SnCl4 solution. This method resulted in the formation of nanoscale precursor powders in the range of 3 to 4 nm in diameter together with a narrow particle size distribution, while the conventional precipitation method led to the formation of precursor powder of not only larger particles (4-6 nm) but also wider particle size distribution. When these precursor powders were calcined at 600 degrees C for 2 h, the powders from the homogeneous precipitation method showed higher specific surface areas (24-44 m(2)/g). On the other hand, the powders from the precipitation method exhibited lower specific surface areas (15-18 m(2)/g). (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.