Nanomaterials (Jul 2019)

Growth Mechanism of Seed-Layer Free ZnSnO<sub>3</sub> Nanowires: Effect of Physical Parameters

  • Ana Rovisco,
  • Rita Branquinho,
  • Jorge Martins,
  • Elvira Fortunato,
  • Rodrigo Martins,
  • Pedro Barquinha

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/nano9071002
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9, no. 7
p. 1002

Abstract

Read online

ZnSnO3 semiconductor nanostructures have several applications as photocatalysis, gas sensors, and energy harvesting. However, due to its multicomponent nature, the synthesis is far more complex than its binary counter parts. The complexity increases even more when aiming for low-cost and low-temperature processes as in hydrothermal methods. Knowing in detail the influence of all the parameters involved in these processes is imperative, in order to properly control the synthesis to achieve the desired final product. Thus, this paper presents a study of the influence of the physical parameters involved in the hydrothermal synthesis of ZnSnO3 nanowires, namely volume, reaction time, and process temperature. Based on this study a growth mechanism for the complex Zn:Sn:O system is proposed. Two zinc precursors, zinc chloride and zinc acetate, were studied, showing that although the growth mechanism is inherent to the material itself, the chemical reactions for different conditions need to be considered.

Keywords