UV photoluminescence from nanocrystalline tin oxide synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal method

Highly crystalline SnO2 nanocrystals with good size and shape uniformity were synthesized by a hydrothermal process. The highlight of this study is the observation of a sharp UV photoluminescence (PL) at 3.42 eV and a simultaneous absence of the broad defect-related visible PL emission. The PL emission is understood in the context of crystallinity, size/surface effects and oxygen vacancies as supported by the Raman spectra. The favorable structural and optical properties suggest their scope for UV light-emitting applications.