High throughput synthesis of BaSnO3 microcrystals by molten salt technique

Abstract

This paper reports the high-throughput synthesis of BaSnO3 microcrystals using an environmentally friendly and energy-efficient process. Our method is based on the molten salt technique and uses bio-friendly salts NaCl and KCl. BaCO3 and SnO2 were used as the sources for Ba and Sn, respectively. Synthesis was carried out at several different temperatures to find the optimum temperature needed to produce the high-quality material. Samples were thoroughly characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and uv–vis spectroscopy. It was found that the formation of BaSnO3 starts at temperatures as low as 700 °C. Analysis of XRD peaks showed that the sample possesses a cubic structure with a lattice parameter ranging from 4.157 Å to 4.201 Å. SEM micrographs showed the samples to comprise uniformly distributed micron-sized cubes. Analysis of uv–vis spectroscopy data showed the BaSnO3 samples to be transparent in the visible range and opaque in the ultraviolet range of the spectrum. Samples prepared at 700 °C showed a bandgap of 2.72 eV, which increased with an increase in the synthesis temperature and became 3.14 eV for the samples synthesized at 850 °C.