Synthesis of SnO2 micro-spheres, nano-rods and nano-flowers via simple hydrothermal route

SnO2 micro-spheres (0.5−2 μm diameter), nano-flowers (petal size: 100–250 nm diameter; 500 nm−2 μm length) and nano-rods (3–6 nm diameter; 10–30 nm length) were synthesized by hydrothermal route. The samples were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The influence of precursor, hydrothermal temperature and treatment time on the formation of SnO2 multi-morphology was also investigated. Moreover, a possible formation mechanism and relationships among morphologies were discussed.

► Using SnCl4, NaOH and C2H5OH to synthesize SnO2 micro-spheres, nano-rods and nano-flowers by hydrothermal treatment method.
► Amount of SnCl4 determines the sizes and morphologies of the obtained SnO2.
► Hydrothermal temperature affects SnO2 morphologies. At low hydrothermal temperature, SnO2 micro-spheres were obtained.