Optical properties of SnO2 nanostructures prepared via one-step thermal decomposition of tin (II) chloride dihydrate

In this study we report on a simple method to synthesize tin dioxide (SnO2) nanostructures through one-step thermal decomposition of tin (II) chloride dihydrate (SnCl2·2H2O) under ambient conditions. The size and morphology of the SnO2 nanostructures can be controlled by changing the temperature and the time of the decomposition process. The structural properties of the products were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The optical properties of the samples were studied by UV–vis spectroscopy. The optical gap of the samples was determined from the analysis of the absorbance versus wavelength curves. The results showed that the morphology, the size and the optical gap of the samples varied with the temperature and treatment duration.