Insights into the solvothermal reaction for synthesizing tin(iv) oxide porous spheres

The solvothermal synthesis of SnO(2) porous spheres was optimized by varying the reactants, solvents, additives, reaction temperature and reaction time. The products of these trials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. SnO(2) possessing a highly ordered spherical structure based on the aggregation of nanometer-sized primary particles was obtained using a simple one-pot solvothermal approach. These spheres were porous with a high specific surface area of more than 200 m(2) g(−1). The electrical conductivity of this material equaled or exceeded that of commercially available SnO(2). SnO(2)-based spherical porous composites including various elements were easily synthesized by incorporating additional materials in the precursor solution.