A method for the preparation of nanocrystalline SnO2 films is presented.  The doctor-blade method is a simple and low cost alternative method to spin- and dip-coating of metal oxide films and has been used previously in the fabrication of TiO2 and ZnO films.  In our approach, SnO2 is synthesized from the hydrolysis of tin(IV) isopropoxide.  The resulting colloidal suspension is then concentrated by evaporating off water until a thicker glue-like consistency is achieved by eye.   The correct consistency is vital to producing quality films which adhere uniformly to the glass substrate surface.  To achieve the same consistency when preparing TiO2 films requires the removal of much less water.  The SnO2 colloid is heated overnight in an acid digestion vessel at 200�C.  Poly ethylene glycol (PEG) is added to the SnO2 as a binder.  The doctor blade method involves using a small cylindrical glass object, such as the end of a pasteur pipette, to spread the SnO2 across a substrate creating a uniform film.  Nanocrystalline films are achieved with an annealing step at 450 �C.  SnO2 films with an average thickness of 2 microns and an average particle size of 25 nm were characterized via scanning electron microscopy.  The cassiterite phase of SnO2 was confirmed via X-ray diffraction.  Surface chemistry experiments are ongoing, with future work exploring the catalytic nature of these SnO2 films.

Nanocrystalline SnO<sub>2</sub> thin films prepared by the hydroylsis of tin(IV) isopropoxide and doctor-blade deposition

248th National Meeting (2014)

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Nanocrystalline SnO2 thin films prepared by the hydroylsis of tin(IV) isopropoxide and doctor-blade deposition

Nanocrystalline SnO₂ thin films prepared by the hydroylsis of tin(IV) isopropoxide and doctor-blade deposition