Direct interaction of colloidal nanostructured ZnO and SnO2 with NO and SO2

A novel and easy synthesis pathway of small SnO2 nanoparticles is reported. The method consists of the spontaneous hydrolysis of SnCl4 x 5H2O in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), containing 3% water, at room temperature. The structure of the SnO2 nanocrystals corresponds to that of the cassiterite phase, as shown by powder X-ray diffraction and HR-TEM. The UV-visible electronic absorption and emission spectra of the SnO2 colloids are discussed. The reactions of NO(g) and SO2(g) with ZnO (wurtzite phase) and SnO2 nanocolloids are studied. The interaction of NO with ZnO nanoparticles generates the dissolution of the particles and it is quite probable that NO3(-1), NOs(-2), N2O and N2 are formed; while its contact with SO2 probably yields SO4(-2), SO3(-2) and also the dissolution of the particles is observed. When these gases are reacted with SnO2, then NO3(-1), NO2(-1), SO3(-2) and SO4(-2), were respectively obtained.