Properties of nanocrystalline SnO2 obtained by means of a microwave process

Nanosized tin oxide powders were obtained for application in gas sensor technology, using an innovative technique, based on a Microwave treatment with a wavelength of 2.45 GHz, which produces pure and in situ noble metal catalysed powder precursors in just a few minutes. Further stabilisation treatments—conventional heating, OH-stimulated microwaves and combined treatments—were also considered. Material structural characterisation of Pt and Pd in situ catalysed, and pure SnO2 is presented, showing the suitability of this procedure for gas sensor applications.