X-ray spectroscopy study of Zn_xSn_1−xO₂ nanorods synthesized by hydrothermal technique

An environment friendly, inexpensive solvothermal route is used to synthesize polycrystalline Zn_xSn_1−xO₂ (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.07) nanorods with nanoflower morphology without using any organic solvents, surfactant or any catalytic agent under low hydrothermal pressure. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy-dispersive x-ray spectra depicts the formation of near stoichiometric Zn_xSn_1−xO₂ nanorods. SEM analysis reveals that Zn incorporation in SnO₂ decreases the nanorod diameter from ∼ 20 nm to ∼ 10 nm. High-resolution x-ray diffraction analysis reveals the rutile structure for x ≤ 0.04 samples, while for x = 0.07 a Zn₂SnO₄ phase is observed. Near edge x-ray absorption fine structure and x-ray photoemission spectroscopy indicate that Zn atoms have been substituted for Sn sites in SnO₂ lattice without forming secondary phases and also create numerous oxygen vacancy in the structure. - Highlights: • Polycrystalline Zn-doped SnO₂ nanostructures were fabricated by hydrothermal method. • The Zn dopants incorporated in SnO₂ are substituted to Sn sites. • The nanorods diameter decreased from ∼ 20 to ∼ 10 nm by the Zn incorporation in SnO₂. • Numerous oxygen vacancies are created in the nanorods