Preparation and characterization of porous SnO_2 nanofibers

Porous tin dioxide nanofibers were successfully fabricated by electrospinning and calcination using silicon dioxide nanoparticles as the doping material and then etched by hydrofluoric acid. The morphology of tin dioxide nanofibers before and after etching was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. An X-ray diffractometer and an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer were used to assess the crystal structure of tin dioxide and the nanofibers,especially,the specific surface area of the tin dioxide nanofibers. The study revealed that the diameters of tin dioxide nanofibers were increased by doping more silicon dioxide nanoparticles,and the surface roughness was increased as well. After hydrofluoric acid etching treatment,the swelling phenomenon happened on the nanofibers,silicon dioxide nanoparticles were successful etched,and the specific surface area of tin dioxide nanofibers was increased.