Synthesis and structural characterization of thermally stable Pt/SnO2 nanocomposite particles

摘要

Thermally stable (not sinterable) Pt/SnO2 (metal/semiconductor) nanocomposite particles were successfully prepared by chemical methods consisting of thermohydrolysis of SnCl4, hydrothermal processes of resultant SnO2 nanoparticles and subsequent photo-deposition of Pt using H2PtCl6. XRD, HRTEM, EDS and XPS examinations revealed that platinum nanodomains (about 2 nm in size) could be deposited on the surface of nanocrystalline SnO2 particles (about 8 nm). After annealing the Pt/SnO2 nanopowders at 500 degrees C, their specific surface area was found to be still higher than 100 m(2) g(-1), thereby indicating high thermal stability against particle growth and sintering. These results show an important aspect in loading nanomaterials. in practical devices without losing the nanocrystalline nature.