Growth and luminescence properties of micro- and nanotubes in sintered tin oxide

Sintering SnO2 under argon flow at temperatures in the range of 1350–1500°C causes the formation of wires, rods, and tubes on the sample surface. At high temperatures of the mentioned range, microwires with lengths of hundreds of microns are formed. At lower temperatures the formation of micro- and nanorods as well as micro- and nanotubes takes place. The influence of ball milling of the starting powder on the formation of tubes is investigated. The local cathodoluminescence measurements show a different defect structure in the tubes than in the sample background.