Facile synthesis of single crystalline SnO2 nanowires

Single crystalline SnO2 nanowires with diameter in the range of 10–100 nm and several micrometers in length have been successfully prepared by the combustion technique in air using Al, Cu2O and SnO as the raw materials. FE–SEM and TEM images showed that the nanowires were single crystalline, growing along the [310] direction. The nanowires' growth mechanism was suggested to follow both VLS and VS mechanisms. The formation of SnO2 nanowires underwent three steps: tin vapor generation via combustion synthesis, oxidation of the tin vapor and its nucleation and subsequent growth. At the same time, porous Al2O3 ceramic and Cu–Sn alloy were obtained during the combustion synthesis process.