Metallic Sn spheres and SnO2@C core-shells by anaerobic and aerobic catalytic ethanol and CO oxidation reactions over SnO2 nanoparticles.

Youngku Sohn,Won Joo Kim,Sung Woo Lee

doi:10.1038/srep13448

Youngku Sohn, Won Joo Kim + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/srep13448

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Abstract

SnO2 has been studied intensely for applications to sensors, Li-ion batteries and solar cells. Despite this, comparatively little attention has been paid to the changes in morphology and crystal phase that occur on the metal oxide surface during chemical reactions. This paper reports anaerobic and aerobic ethanol and CO oxidation reactions over SnO2 nanoparticles (NPs), as well as the subsequent changes in the nature of the NPs. Uniform SnO2@C core-shells (10 nm) were formed by an aerobic ethanol oxidation reaction over SnO2 NPs. On the other hand, metallic Sn spheres were produced by an anaerobic ethanol oxidation reaction at 450 °C, which is significantly lower than that (1200 °C) used in industrial Sn production. Anaerobic and aerobic CO oxidation reactions were also examined. The novelty of the methods for the production of metallic Sn and SnO2@C core-shells including other anaerobic and aerobic reactions will contribute significantly to Sn and SnO2-based applications.

Highlights

SnO2 hollow nanospheres[52], rhodamine B treatment using flower-like hollow SnO/Sn3O4 microspheres[53], Rhodamine 6G photodegradation using hollow supersymmetric SnO2 microspheres[54]
Metallic Sn spheres were produced from SnO2 by an anaerobic ethanol oxidation reaction below 600 °C, which is a significantly lower temperature than that used in the high temperature (>1000 °C) carbothermal reduction method in industry
This study showed that the SnO2 NPs have comparable carbon monoxide (CO) oxidation activity to that reported in the literature[55]

Summary

Introduction

SnO2 hollow nanospheres[52], rhodamine B treatment using flower-like hollow SnO/Sn3O4 microspheres[53], Rhodamine 6G photodegradation using hollow supersymmetric SnO2 microspheres[54]. Studying the surface reaction on SnO2 is extremely important to better understand the sensing and catalytic mechanism and for fabricating the nanostructures. Jeong et al reported that nanotextured SnO2 surfaces could be produced using a self-catalytic growth method with different oxygen concentrations and annealing temperatures[58]. The specific aim of this study was to identify the changes in morphology and crystal phase of SnO2 NPs after aerobic and anaerobic oxidation reactions. This paper reports a new methodology for the production of metallic Sn spheres and SnO2@C core-shells. Metallic Sn spheres were produced from SnO2 by an anaerobic ethanol oxidation reaction below 600 °C, which is a significantly lower temperature than that used in the high temperature (>1000 °C) carbothermal reduction method in industry. The high CO oxidation activity of SnO2 NPs has potential applications to catalysis

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