Nanoparticles of zinc stannates (ZTO): Synthesis, characterization and electrical behavior in oxygen and acetone vapors

• Published in: Ceramics international Vol. 46; no. 2; pp. 2016 - 2032
• Main Authors: Montenegro, J.E., Ochoa-Muñoz, Y., Rodríguez-Páez, J.E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2020
• Subjects: Acetone; Characterization; Electrical resistance: oxygen; Nanoparticle formation mechanism; Synthesis of zinc stannates; Characterization; Nanoparticle formation mechanism; Electrical resistance: oxygen; Synthesis of zinc stannates; Acetone
• ISSN: 0272-8842; 1873-3956
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2019.09.181

Zinc stannate (ZTO) ceramic powders were synthesized by a modified Pechini method. The nanoparticles synthesized at 900 °C were characterized using thermal analysis (TGA/DTA), infrared (IR), UV–Vis absorption and Raman spectroscopies, photoluminescence (PL), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Characterization revealed a mixture of phases of perovskite-type ZnSnO3 and spinel cubic Zn2SnO4, with a primary particle size of <50 nm, and a gap energy of ~4.10 eV. Using the obtained ceramic powders, green pieces were formed by slip casting and sintered at 1200 °C and 1400 °C. Finally, the effect of the presence of oxygen and acetone atmospheres on the electrical response of the sintered ZTO pieces at 1200 °C was evaluated. The tests showed an appreciable variation in the resistance of the samples on altering the nature of the atmosphere of the gas surrounding the piece, indicating good sensory capacity of the ZTO pieces to these gases.