Effect of PVP concentration on microstructure and physical properties of electrospun SnO2 nanofibers

Abstract

The various exceptional crystalline morphologies of tin oxide (SnO2) nanofibers were fabricated using conventional electrospinning and calcination process. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) was used as polymer template and tin (IV) chloride (SnCl4·5H2O) was chosen as starting material for electrospun SnO2 nanofibers. The concentration of PVP was varied from 6%w/w to 12%w/w while the concentration of SnCl4·5H2O was kept constantly. The diameter of the as-spun SnO2 nanofiber was ranging from 154 to 464 nm. After calcination at 600°C for 3 h, the crystal structure can be identified to the tetragonal structure of SnO2 with various morphologies. The EDX analysis confirmed the existence of major elements and formation of SnO2 from starting precursor. SEM results revealed that low PVP concentration led to the formation of porous SnO2 nanofibers comprising long chain of SnO2 nanobeads. When the PVP concentration was reached to 12%w/w, the arrangement of crystalline of SnO2 became the cluster of SnO2 plates.