Synthesis and characterization of SnO2 nanoparticles by co-precipitation method

Tin oxide (SnO2) nanoparticles were synthesized by co-precipitation method and the synthesized nanoparticles were annealed at different temperatures for characterization. The powders were investigated with X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and optical spectroscopy. The structural characterization was carried out by X-ray diffraction which confirms the crystalline nature of the films with a tetragonal structure. SEM analysis of the powders enabled the conclusion that the prepared nanoparticles are spherical particles which are smaller in size composed of clustered and agglomerated nanoparticles. From the absorption spectra the type of transition and band gap of the synthesized nanoparticles were estimated. The optical (UV-visible) spectrum exhibits a well defined absorption which in considerably blue shifted related to the peak absorption of bulk SnO2 indicating quantum size effect.