Synthesis and Controlling the Morphology of SnO2 Nanocrystals via Hydrothermal Treatment

SnO2 nanocrystals were synthesized via a hydrothermal method with and without a pre-addition of various surfactants. Powders were characterized by TEM for their particle size and morphology. The size and morphology of SnO2 nanocrystals was controlled by hydrothermal synthesis Tin oxide nanorods with a high aspect ratio were produced by hydrothermal treatment even without any surfactant addition when the hydrothermal treatment was made under a nitrogen atmosphere of about 40 atmosphere pressure. The size of these nanorods can be controlled by the temperature and time of the synthesis temperature. The addition of surfactants such as AOT and CTAB resulted in a drastic change in grain morphology from nanorods to spherical shaped particles with decreased particle size.