Controlled Synthesis of SnO2 Nanocrystals with Tunable Band Gaps

Tin(IV) oxide nanocrystals (SnO₂ NCs) have significant potential in various applications, with their performance closely related to their band gap. The band gap is influenced by the size and shape of the NCs, which can be precisely controlled by adjusting reaction conditions. In this study, we present deliberately designed synthesis protocols to produce high-quality SnO₂ NCs with tunable band gaps using different methods. Key factors affecting the synthesis include control of the oxidizing agent, reaction temperature, solvent selection, and reaction time optimization. The resulting NCs were characterized by using TEM, XRD, XPS, and optical spectroscopy. Notably, SnO₂ NCs synthesized by controlling the oxidizing agent (air injection) in a hot organic solution were smaller in size and exhibited abundant oxygen vacancies. In contrast, extending the reaction time or using ethanol as a solvent in hydrothermal systems facilitated larger spherical or rod-like SnO₂ NCs with fewer oxygen vacancies. Further analysis of the band gap and valence band maximum energy revealed that the abundant vacancies in SnO₂ NCs synthesized with the air-controlled hot organic solution method resulted in a narrower band gap and an upshifted valence band. These synthetic strategies illustrate the potential for deliberately designing SnO₂ NCs with optimized electronic structures for various applications.