Bi2Sn2O7 nanoparticles attached to SnO2 nanowires and used as catalysts

We introduce a simple method of synthesizing SnO₂ nanowire-Bi₂Sn₂O₇ nanoparticle composites based on the principle that SnO₂ nanowires can be grown by using Bi as catalysts. A mixture of Bi and Sn powders was thermally evaporated, and the effects of growth temperature on the morphology and structure of the products were investigated. We obtained Bi₂Sn₂O₇-tipped SnO₂ nanowires at 700 °C through a vapor–liquid–solid (VLS) process, whereas particle-free SnO₂ nanowires were produced at higher temperatures. We have investigated the oxygen sensing properties of the as-synthesized product.