A COMPARATIVE MORPHOLOGICAL AND STRUCTURAL STUDY OF SNO2 STRUCTURES

Abstract

Tin oxide (SnO₂) nanoparticles have attracted substantial interest because to their exceptional optical, electrical, catalytic, and gas sensing characteristics, which are largely dependent on particle size and shape. Two chemical techniques were used in this study to create SnO₂ nanoparticles. The purpose of the study was to investigate the morphological and structural properties of SnO₂ nanoparticles made using sol-gel and co-precipitation methods. The solvent was ethanol, and various processing parameters were used to regulate the shape as well as growth of the particles. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterise the synthesised materials. Both synthesized techniques produced SnO₂ nanoparticles with a tetragonal rutile crystal structure, as verified by XRD. The SEM study indicated differences in particle shape, agglomeration, and surface structure depending on the preparation method. The comparative analysis showed that the crystallite size, shape, and structural characteristics of SnO₂ nanoparticles are strongly influenced by their synthesis process. The produced SnO₂ nanostructures exhibit great potential for use in gas sensors, transparent conductive materials, catalysis, and optoelectronic devices because of their tuneable properties.

Keywords: Tin oxide nanoparticles, SnO₂, co-precipitation method, sol-gel method, nanomaterials, XRD, SEM, morphology analysis.