Biomorphic synthesis of SnO2 microtubules on cotton fibers

A simple route for synthesis of biomorphic SnO2 microtubules, using cotton fibers as templates, has been developed. Cotton fibers were infiltrated with tin alkoxide solution and subsequently sintered at high temperatures to produce the final SnO2 microtubules. The tubular outer surface of the biomorphic SnO2 microtubules is covered with a large amount of SnO2 particles. In addition, the sintering temperatures in the fabrication process are shown to have a great effect on the BET surface area and pore-size distribution.