Synthesis of NiO/SnO2 nanowires for energy applications

Abstract

In this study, SnO2 nanowire arrays with lengths in the micrometres range were successfully synthesised by using polyethylene glycol (PEG) at room temperature. Then Ni was coated onto the SnO2 nanowires by chemical precipitation. These nanowires were heat-treated at 360, 450, 500, and 650 degrees C to form various phases. X-ray powder diffraction studies showed that the heat-treated sample at 500 degrees C has a tetragonal rutile SnO(2 )phase. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area of the untreated Sn(COO)(2) nanowires was determined as 5.74 m(2)/g. After Ni coating and heat treatment at 360, 450, 500, and 650 degrees C, the surface areas of the NiO/SnO2 nanowires were measured to be 79.75, 33.38, 29.15, and 21.13 m(2)/g, respectively.