Suggested Oxidation State Dependence for the Activity of Submicron Structures Prepared from Tin/Tin Oxide Mixtures

Submicron-sized particles of tin oxide (SnOx) were prepared via a high-temperature synthesis from the combination of zerovalent tin and tin oxide (SnO) in an inert carrier gas. The size, nature, and relative product yields of the structures produced are dependent upon the synthesis temperature and the ratio of metal/metal oxide in the starting materials. It is suggested that the surface oxidation states of these nanoparticles vary with the ratio of tin to tin oxide and the synthesis temperature so that the product ratio of SnO to SnO2 and the reactivity of these particles with the phenol hydroxylation reaction could be adjusted. An apparent higher reactivity per unit surface area is observed for the larger submicron particles.