Phase and morphology dependence on the annealing temperature of tin sulfides and oxides prepared by thermal decomposition of organotin precursors

Organotin compounds were thermally decomposed in a nitrogen atmosphere. The obtained residues were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Rietveld refinements of the experimental diffractograms were performed, which enabled the effect of the annealing temperature on the tin residues (oxides and sulfides), micro strain and particle size to be understood. Two organotin compounds (used as precursors) were synthesized and then thermally treated at different temperatures under a dynamic nitrogen flux. The results showed that tetragonal tin (IV) and tin (II) oxides were formed at 485 °C. As the temperature increased to 650 °C, the tin (II) oxide was converted to tin (IV) oxide and metallic tin through a disproportionation reaction. Rods of orthorhombic tin sulfide were obtained at 238 °C with rod lengths of 150–500 nm and diameters of 40–90 nm.