Cactus-Like SnO₂ Nanostructures Grown by Thermal Evaporation Technique

Abstract

SnO₂ nanostructures with cactus-like morphology were synthesized by thermal evaporation of Sn powder. Any catalyst and substrate were not used for the formation of SnO₂ nanostructures. X-ray diffraction result showed that the SnO₂ nanostructures had rutile crystallographic structure. Scanning electron microscopy study revealed that the cactus-like SnO₂ nanostructure consisted of main microrod stem and many branched nanowires. The secondary growth of SnO₂ nanowire branches occurred on the primary main SnO₂ microrods. Vapor–solid growth mechanism was proposed for the growth of the SnO₂ nanostructures because no catalytic particles were found at the tips of the nanowires. A strong visible emission peak at 530 nm was observed in the cathodoluminescence spectrum taken from the cactus-like SnO₂ nanostructures at room temperature.