Template-Assisted SnO2: Synthesis, Composition, and Photoelectrocatalytical Properties

Abstract

A series of tin oxides were synthesized with polystyrene microspheres (250 nm) as the template. It was shown that an increase in the template content led to increasing specific pore volume and to the formation of bimodal pore structure with pores of 9 and 70 nm in diameter. Addition of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) during synthesis led to the formation of friable structures (SEM data), to an increase in the average pore diameter from 19 to 111 nm, and to the formation of macropores of 80–400 nm in size. All materials had similar surface properties and cassiterite structure with 5.9–10.8 nm coherent scattering region (XRD data). Flat-band potentials of the samples were determined and their photoelectrocatalytic properties to oxidation of water and methanol were studied in the potential range of 0.4–1.6 V RHE. It was shown that the sample obtained using CTAB was characterized by lower flat-band potential value, but appeared significantly higher photocurrent in methanol oxidation, which resulted from enhanced macro-meso-porous structure to facilitate methanol pore diffusion.

Flat-Band Potential Determination and Catalytical Properties of Sn3O4/SnO2 Heterostructures in the Photo-Electrooxidation of Small Organic Molecules under Ultraviolet (370 nm) and Blue (450 nm) Light

“…TO1 and TO4 samples represent Sn3O4 and SnO2 phases with CSR sizes of 27 and 3 nm, respectively. The band-gap values obtained are consistent with the literature for these phases: 2.94 eV for Sn3O4 [10] and 3.98 eV for SnO2 [58]. The specific surface area of the TO4 sample is very low (2.05 m 2 /g), which could be associated with the rigid structure of small-sized SnO2 particles (3 nm).…”

A Review on Template Synthesis of Nanoparticle

“…Particularly in the case of mesoporous materials, morphology is the most important aspect for characterizing the properties of the material. Particle size, surface area, pore structure, and morphology all contribute together to define the morphology of mesoporous materials, which in turn helps determine their specific uses [16][17][18]. The most common method by which the template approach affects product morphology is by controlling crystal nucleation and growth during the nanomaterial preparation process [19,20].…”

Miniaturized droplets flow reactor for one-step highly controlled synthesis of SnO2 quantum dots at room temperature

“…The extraordinary properties of SnO 2 QDs stem from their outstanding optical and electrical characteristics, including a high surface area, impressive stability, and a wide bandgap. Several techniques are adopted for the synthesis of SnO 2 QDs, namely, solution synthesis [43], hydrothermal synthesis [44,45], chemical reduction, microwave-assisted synthesis [46], solvothermal synthesis [47,48], and templateassisted synthesis [49]. All the synthesis processes are either time-intensive or involve high-temperature conditions, limiting the viability of the synthesis method.…”