Preparation of antimony-doped SnO2 nanocrystallites

The antimony-doped SnO2 nanocrystallite was synthesised by the co-precipitation reaction and subsequent calcination from the antimony(III) chloride and tin(IV) chloride. The crystal size, pore size distribution and properties of the nanocrystalline powders were examined by differential thermal analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction and desorption isotherm(Barrett–Joyner–Halenda method). Calcination of the precipitate powder at 650°C led to the formation of Sb–SnO2 nanocrystallite of ∼6 nm in crystal size. Most of the pores in the nanocrystallite are about 5–10 nm in diameter. Effect of doped antimony on the crystal size of the nanocrystallite is discussed.