Scalable in situ growth of SnO2 nanoparticle chains on SiC ultrathin fibers via a facile sol-gel-flame method

SnO2 nanoparticle chains (SNPCs) were controllably in situ grown on the electrospun SiC ultrathin fibers (SUFs) by a scalable sol-gel-flame method to form a flexible mat. While bulk SnO2 was obtained by relatively slow pyrolysis in conventional horizontal tube furnace. The effect of process parameters on the microstructure and morphology of SNPCs/SUFs mats was discussed. I-V characteristics of the SNPCs/SUFs mats revealed a nonlinear curve, indicating the formation of Schottky-type junctions. The composite fibers mats also exhibited broad and strong emission bands between 400 and 650 nm. This may be attributed to the existence of a large amount of oxygen vacancies and defects in SNPCs caused by the fast pyrolysis process. Such composite fibers mats may have great potentials in high-temperature gas sensors, light-emitting diodes and lithium-ion storages, etc.