Water-assisted growth and characterization of SnO2 nanobelts

SnO2 nanobelts have been synthesized by water-assisted growth at 850 °C using high pure Sn powders as the source materials. The as-synthesized products were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy(TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), energy dispersed X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), infrared spectrum (IR) and room-temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectrum. XRD pattern of the sample is quite in accord with the standard pattern of the tetragonal rutile SnO2; SEM and TEM images show that the uniform single-crystalline SnO2 nanobelts are about tens of micrometers in length, 70–100 nm in width and 5–8 nm in thickness, and is smooth in surface. The special IR and PL properties were also detected by IR and PL testing. The growth mechanisms and special properties relative to the SnO2 nanostructures are discussed.