Effect of reaction temperature on the structural and electronic properties of stannic oxide nanostructures

Different nanostructured materials are having important roles in optoelectronics, gas sensing and photocatalytic applications due to their high surface to volume ratio. In this study, stannic oxide (SnO2) nanostructures are prepared by hydrothermal method under optimal conditions at different temperatures (160, 180 and 200°C) using surfactant cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide. X-ray diffraction studies reveal rutile tetragonal structures of SnO2 nanostructures, showing that average crystallite size is less than 10 nm. Field emission scanning electron microscope imaging reveals the morphological analysis of SnO2 nanostructures fabricated at different reaction temperatures (160, 180 and 200°C). Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirmed the elemental analysis of SnO2 nanostructures. FTIR spectrum is recorded to confirm the presence of various functional and vibrational groups in the prepared SnO2 nanostructures. Optical properties of these nanostructures are analysed by UV–vis absorption studies. Bandgap of prepared SnO2 decreased with increasing reaction temperature. Two-probe setup along with Keithley source metre is used for analysis of electrical properties of SnO2 nanostructures.