Kinetic stability of tin telluride nanoparticles synthesized by hydrothermal method

Nanoparticles of tin telluride (SnTe) are prepared by the hydrothermal method. The analysis of composition showed the nanoparticles to be stoichiometric. The structure and phase are determined by X-ray diffraction. It showed the nanoparticles possess cubic structure and SnTe phase. The spherical shape of the nanoparticles is validated by electron microscopy. The Raman spectrum revealed the characteristic peak associated with SnTe. The thermal analysis study of SnTe nanoparticles are done to comprehend the thermal nature. The study is done in inert nitrogen for heating rates of 5, 10, 15 and 20 K•min−1 in the range of temperature between ambient and 1053 K. The nanoparticles decompose by three steps. Isoconversional model free methods of Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose, Flynn–Wall–Ozawa and Friedman are employed to determine the thermodynamic parameters. The results are investigated in details.