Morphology-controlled synthesis and a comparative study of the physical properties of SnO2nanostructures: from ultrathin nanowires to ultrawide nanobelts

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Abstract
Controlled synthesis of one-dimensional materials, such as nanowires and nanobelts, is of vital importance for achieving the desired properties and fabricating functional devices. We report a systematic investigation of the vapor transport growth of one-dimensional SnO2 nanostructures, aiming to achieve precise morphology control. SnO2 nanowires are obtained when SnO2 mixed with graphite is used as the source material; adding TiO2 into the source reliably leads to the formation of nanobelts. Ti-induced modification of crystal surface energy is proposed to be the origin of the morphology change. In addition, control of the lateral dimensions of both SnO2 nanowires (from similar to 15 to similar to 115 nm in diameter) and nanobelts (from similar to 30 nm to similar to 2 mu m in width) is achieved by adjusting the growth conditions. The physical properties of SnO2 nanowires and nanobelts are further characterized and compared using room temperature photoluminescence, resonant Raman scattering, and field emission measurements.