Nano-tin dioxide/NaY zeolite composite material: Preparation, morphology, adsorption and hydrogen sensitivity

Nano-tin dioxide/NaY zeolite composite material was prepared by impregnation of SnCl2 solution on NaY zeolite and subsequently calcination was done at 623-973 K. The morphology and the particle size of SnO2 formed on the external surface of the zeolite, and the adsorption properties and components of the composed material were characterized with SEM, TEM, HRTEM, nitrogen adsorption and EDX, respectively. The morphology of the SnO2 nano-crystals is strongly dependent on the temperature of calcination. The uniform discrete SnO2 nano-single crystal rods of size 60 × 12 nm and the cone like nano-crystallites grow in the temperature range of 773-873 K and of 623-673 K, respectively. The mechanism of the formation and growth of SnO2 nano-crystals is discussed based on the adsorption data and the contents of Cl and Sn of the composite materials calcined at various temperatures. The composite material possesses the adsorption behavior of zeolite open and perfect channel system, and presents linear hydrogen-sensitivity demonstrated with conductivity measurement.