Tin Oxide Nanoclusters Research Articles

Structural evolution, electronic and physicochemical properties of tin ozonide nanoclusters: a density functional theory perspective

A systematic conceptual study of the properties of tin oxide nanoclusters SnnOm (n = 1–6; 2n+1 ≤ m ≤ 4n+2) with ozonide ion or mixed ozonide with molecular O20, oxide (O2−), peroxide (O−) or superoxide (O2−) was investigated using the ab initio density functional theory perspective. Bader charge calculations revealed the oxidation state of Sn and established formation of terminal oxide moiety in the nanoclusters. The stability investigation was carried out by calculations of the binding energy (BE) per atom, the second difference total energy (Δ2E(m)) and the gap between the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) while adsorption energy per O2 and O3 was investigated. Exploring the variation of the reactivity parameters and reaction energy with sizes revealed size dependence on physicochemical properties of the nanoclusters. Magnetism studies show the contribution of O2, O−, O2− and O3− to the magnetic moment of the nanoclusters. Graphical abstract

First-principles perspective on structural evolution, sequential lithiation and physicochemical properties of tin oxide nanoclusters: Sn3Oz and LixSn3Oz (x = 1-10 and z = 0, 3-7)

Metal oxides have been reported as high capacity anode materials in Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) but lack merit of commercialization due to volume-expansion during operation and poor electronic conductivity. Nanosized metal oxide could be used to circumvent these demerits. In this work, we examined the application of tin oxide nanoclusters (Sn3Oz, z = 0, 3–7) as anode materials in LIB using ab initio density functional theory perspective. Analysis of moderately lithiated tin oxide nanoclusters (LixSn3Oz, x = 1–10) indicates a tremendous reduction in volume-expansion due to high surface area of the nanoclusters by analysis of change in Sn-Li bond length with number of lithiation by process of alloying. Structural analysis also revealed the formation of Li2O by conversion reaction during lithiation. Stability studies by binding energy (B.E.) during lithiation showed decreased stability as lithiation increased. The role of chemical reactivity concept on the lithiation of Sn3Oz nanoclusters were revealed by the physicochemical properties of the nanoclusters. Electrophilicity studies reveals the capability of the nanoclusters to accept electrons from the inserted Li. Sn3 and Sn3O3 nanoclusters were the most suitable anode materials amongst other nanoclusters presented with average intercalation voltage (AIV) of 0.67 and 1.12 V respectively. The adsorption energy (Eads) and dissociation energy (Edis) obtained showed that Li dimer formation can be prevented by these nanoclusters as anode. The calculations substantiate the suitability of tin oxide nanoclusters as anode material in LIBs.

Electrochemical Sensor Based on Graphene-Supported Tin Oxide Nanoclusters for Nonenzymatic Detection of Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is closely related to people’s life in a lot of respects, including food, health, and environment and so on. High performance detection of H2O2 is of importance in chemical and biological fields. In this study, we synthesized reduced graphene oxide-supported tin oxide nanoclusters (SnO2-rGO) as electrochemical sensing material for H2O2 detection. From scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) images, uniform SnO2 nanoclusters with a diameter of 3–5nm are evenly dispersed on the surface of rGO. Electrochemical studies showed that the sensing platform fabricated from SnO2-rGO possesses fast mass transport, good electrical conductivity and high sensitivity and selectivity for the detection of H2O2. The SnO2-rGO composite exhibited a linear current response to H2O2 from 0.5 to 800μM with a fast response within 2s. The detection limit was calculated to be 0.478μM. The present study shows that tiny SnO2 clusters supported on rGO can be applied as a promising type of sensing material for electrochemical detection of H2O2.

Polybenzoxazine-based highly porous carbon nanofibrous membranes hybridized by tin oxide nanoclusters: durable mechanical elasticity and capacitive performance

Polybenzoxazine-based highly porous carbon nanofibrous membranes hybridized by tin oxide nanoclusters with durable mechanical elasticity and stable capacitive performance.

<I>In-Situ</I> Electrical Conductivity Measurement of Oxidation of Tin Nanocluster Film

An in-situ electrical conductivity measurement of thin films of tin oxide nanoclusters for nano-devices was performed during metal cluster deposition and subsequent oxidation. From the current observation, the percolation threshold and the oxidation process are suggested. During baking at 200 degrees C, tin nanoclusters were transformed into low-conductivity stannous oxide and then into high-conductivity stannic oxide. From electron micrographs, it is suggested that the baking procedure is responsible for changing the oxide state and/or the crystallinity of the individual nanoclusters rather than changing the morphology of the film.

Synthesis, characterization and optical properties of tin oxide nanoclusters prepared from a novel precursor via thermal decomposition route

Abstract As a new precursor, [bis(2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehydato)tin(II)]; ([Sn(HNA)2]), complex was used in thermal decomposition process for the synthesis of tin oxide (SnO2) nanoclusters. The steric hindrance of the precursor raises the need of using co-surfactant, therefore oleylamine (C18H37N) was applied as the only surfactant of the reaction. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Also the novel precursor was thermal treated in solid-state reaction in different temperature, 400, 500, and 600 °C. Synthesized tin dioxide nanoclusters with tetragonal phase, have average size of 1.5–4 nm. Finally, optical properties of the products were examined and investigated by photoluminescence spectra.

Gas sensors based on multiwall carbon nanotubes decorated with tin oxide nanoclusters

Abstract Hybrid nanomaterials based on oxygen plasma treated multiwall carbon nanotubes decorated with tin oxide nanoclusters were synthesised by the precipitation of a SnO 2 colloidal suspension in the presence of carbon nanotubes dispersed in the mother solution of precursor tin (II) acetate in a water free acetic acid. TEM analysis revealed that the size of tin oxide nanoclusters anchored at the carbon nanotube sidewalls is about 5 nm. Hybrid nanomaterials with different carbon nanotube to tin oxide ratios were prepared and their gas sensing properties when operated at room temperature and at 150 °C were investigated and compared against the properties of pure tin oxide or pure oxygen plasma treated multiwall carbon nanotube sensors. When an appropriate ratio between the amount of plasma treated nanotubes and tin oxide precursors is employed, hybrid sensors show superior performance in the detection of nitrogen dioxide in the ppb range and carbon monoxide in the low ppm range. Furthermore, these optimised sensors show a significantly reduced moisture cross-sensitivity. Detection mechanisms are discussed.