Abstract

• Tetragonal tin oxide (SnO2) nanoparticles of the range 80 nm have been successfully synthesized by a direct precipitation from an aqueous solution in the presence of stannous chloride dehydrate (SnCl2.2H2O) and ammonium hydroxide. The final products was ground into a fine powder and then annealed at 650C for 6 h. Characterization of the materials was carried out using technique such as scanning electron microscope and the optical studies were carried by UV-Vis absorption. SnO2 nanofibers were fabricated by home-made electrospinning with vertical experimental set up. The electrospinning solution was prepared by homogeneous viscous solution of tin acetate in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The electrospinning were under taken by applying a DC voltage of 20 kV to the tip of a syringe and maintaining the tip to collector distance (TCD) of 5 cm, 7 cm, 10 cm and 12 cm. The spinning or running time interval was set to 4 h. The green nanofibers were calcined at 600C for 1 h. The XRD analysis revealed that nanofibers were phase pure and all materials exhibited a tetragonal rutile structure of SnO2. The nanofibers treated at 600C was examined by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM).The functionalize sample surface at a nanometer range of SnO2nanofibers were examined by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The SEM and AFM shows cylindrical fibers with diameter in the range of 47 – 100 nm. In general, average diameter of the fibers decreased with decrease in TCD