Influence of citric acid on SnO2 nanoparticles synthesized by wet chemical processes

Tin oxide (SnO2) nanoparticles with size range of 19 to 100 nm were successfully synthesized using wet chemical process (i.e., chemical precipitation and sol-gel processes). The samples were analysed by X-Ray diffraction, Scanning electron microscopy, Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Raman and FTIR spectroscopy, BET surface area and Thermogravimetric analyses. The results showed that variation of citric acid concentration directly influences the particle size and the BET specific surface area. The XRD analysis revealed that nanoparticles were phase pure and that all materials exhibited a tetragonal rutile structure of SnO2. Characterisation of the materials was carried out using techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric and BET analyses.