Growth and optical properties of sallow-like hierarchical SnO2 nanostructures

Novel self-organized hierarchical SnO2 nanostructures have been successfully prepared by vapor phase transport with the assistance of a stainless-steel grid at 950 degrees C. Scanning electron microscopy shows that the synthesized product displays interesting sallow-like morphology, in which numerous secondary branches (beak-like nanowires) are grown randomly around the main stems (microwires). Transmission electron microscopy analysis indicates that the branches grow along a direction of [100] and the beak is formed with the growth direction switching to [110]. A room temperature photoluminescence spectrum of the present SnO2 nanostructures shows a strong emission at 572 and 604 nm(-1).