Carbon-coated SnO2 nanobelts and nanoparticles by single catalytic step

Several types of carbon nanostructures (amorphous and graphitic), for the coating of SnO₂ nanobelts and nanoparticles were obtained by a single catalytic process, during methane, natural gas, and methanol decomposition using the reactivity of surface-modified SnO₂ nanostructure as a nanotemplate. The nanostructured catalyst templates were based on transition metal nanoparticles supported on SnO₂ nanobelts previously prepared by a carbothermal reduction process. Carbon-coated SnO₂ nanopowders were also successfully synthesized for the fabrication of carbon spheres. The carbon coating process and yield, along with the nature of the nanostructured carbon, are strongly influenced by the chemically modified surface of the SnO₂ nanostructure template and the chemical reaction gas composition. The preliminary catalytic activity and gas-sensing properties of these novel materials based on metal nanoparticles and carbon-coated SnO₂ were determined.