Synthesis of SnO2 nanorods from aqueous solution: The effect of preparation conditions on the formed patterns

SnO2 nanorods were deposited on the Si substrates in an aqueous solution containing both SnCl4 and CO(NH2)2. It is found that different self-assembled patterns of SnO2 nanorods can be obtained by changing the deposition conditions such as the molar ratio of CO(NH2)2 to SnCl4 and the pretreatment of the substrate. Scattered SnO2 nanorods, for example, can be changed into flower-like patterns when the molar ratio of CO(NH2)2 to SnCl4 is raised, and well-aligned nanorod arrays can be formed when the pretreatment of the substrate is changed. In addition, some interesting patterns, e.g. tree-like patterns, can also be observed.