Fabrication of novel SnO ₂ nanofibers bundle and their optical properties

Here we report on the synthesis of novel SnO ₂ nanofibers bundle (NFB) by using ball milled Fe powders via chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The reaction was carried out in a horizontal tube furnace (HTF) at 1100 °C under Ar flow. The as prepared product was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy and selected area electron diffraction (SAED). The microscopy analysis reveals the existence of tubular structure that might be formed by the accumulation of nanofibers. The Raman spectrum reveals that the product is rutile SnO ₂ with additional peaks ascribed to defects or oxygen vacancies. Room temperature Photoluminescence (PL) spectrum exhibits three emission bands at 369, 450 and 466.6 nm. Using optical absorbance data, a direct optical bandgap of 3.68 eV was calculated. Graphical abstract: Novel SnO ₂ nanofibers bundle (NFB) fabricated via CVD method. Field emission scanning electron microscopy image of novel SnO ₂ NFB and their room temperature PL emission. Highlights: Synthesis of novel SnO ₂ nanofibers bundle at 1100°C under partial flow of Ar gas. A VLS mechanism is proposed for the formation of SnO ₂ nanofibers. The PL spectrum exhibits three emission bands at 369, 450 and 466.6 nm. A direct optical bandgap of 3.68 eV was calculated.