Hydrothermal synthesis and characterization of graphene/self-assembled SnO2 hybrid

In this work, graphene/self-assembled SnO2 hybrid was prepared via a hydrothermal method. The structure and morphology of graphene/self-assembled SnO2 hybrid were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The XRD analysis confirms the well-crystallized SnO2 in composite. FESEM and TEM studies show the mechanism for the formation of graphene/self-assembled SnO2 hybrid. Due to characteristics of graphene/self-assembled SnO2 hybrid, our findings may have implications in the synthesis and fabrication of well-defined functional graphene/SnO2 hybrid materials. It may also provide a general approach for the preparation of graphene/metal oxide hybrid materials.

► Graphene/self-assembled SnO2 hybrid was synthesized via hydrothermal reactions.
► In the synthesis process, no templates, surface active agents or organic solvents are required.
► TEM image shows that flower-like SnO2 nanorod clusters are single-crystalline.