HRTEM observations on composites of tin and tin dioxide nanoparticles dispersed on carbon nanotubes by single-atoms-to-clusters method

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Nano-composites of tin and tin dioxide particles were synthesized on carbon nanotubes by the single-atoms-to-clusters (SAC) method, and their structures were investigated by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. By changing the heat-treatment temperature during the SAC process, two different types of samples were obtained. The samples prepared around 450 K were aggregates of 2–4 nm-sized tin dioxide nanoparticles, and their size distributions on carbon nanotubes are in the range 20–40 nm. The other samples formed above 600 K had a core–shell structure of diameter 20–40 nm. The core and shell were made of tin single crystal and disordered oxidized tin, respectively. The thickness of the oxidized layers was ca. 4 nm.