Preparation and characterization of SnO₂ nanoparticles with a surfactant-mediated method

Using a surfactant-mediated method, tin dioxide nanoparticles with a high surface area were generated within the template of the cationic surfactant (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide) micelle assembly from the hydrous metal chloride (SnCl₄ · 5H₂O). The as-synthesized product was amorphous and transformed into crystalline calcined at 500^ºC for 2 h, and exhibited a higher Brunauer–Emmet–Teller surface area of 69.2 m² g⁻¹. The resulting particles were highly crystalline and largely monodisperse oxide particles in the nanometre range (15–25 nm). Thermogravimetric analysis, x-ray powder diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to characterize the final products.