Characteristics of SnO2 annealed in reducing atmosphere

The characteristics of SnO2 reduced in H2/N2 at various annealing temperatures are reported. The formation of polycrystalline metallic Sn from SnO2 is detected by X-ray diffraction above the annealing temperature of 500 °C. The photoluminescence (PL) characteristics of reduced SnO2 have been studied as a function of temperature. Further studies of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), differential thermal analysis (DTA-Tg), and photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectroscopy have been performed. Broad emission with peaks at around 590 nm (2.1 eV) and 420 nm is obtained from SnO2. The reduced SnO2 shows an increase PL intensity of 420 nm band. In addition the PL intensity of reduced SnO2 at 420 nm (2.95 eV) increases with annealing in ambient air. The origin of luminescence bands detected in reduced tin oxide is discussed.