Synthesis, characterization and electrocatalytic activity of SnO2, Pt-SnO2 thin films for methanol oxidation

- Galvanically, nanocrystalline SnO2 thin films were synthesized.
- Pt doped SnO2 thin films were synthesized from chloroplatinic acid.
- Electrocatalytic activity of these materials towards methanol oxidation was investigated.
- Pt-SnO2 thin films showed better reactivity than SnO2.

The study demonstrates an approach to synthesize nanocrystalline SnO2 thin films on TCO (transparent conducting oxide) substrates. Un-doped and Pt-doped SnO2 thin films have been synthesized from the precursor solution of stannic chloride (SnCl4·5H2O) and chloroplatinic acid (H2PtCl6·H2O). X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDAX) and X ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques were used to characterize the thin films. Optical characterizations were carried out by UV-Vis and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The present method provides a simple and cost-effective way to deposit highly stable SnO2 and Pt-SnO2 thin films. The synthesized films were used as electrode and its catalytic activity towards methanol oxidation was investigated. The study reveals that Pt-SnO2 electrode is more effective for methanol electrooxidation than SnO2.