Fabrication and structural characterization of large-scale uniform SnO2 nanotube arrays by sol-gel method

Semiconductor SnO2 nanotube arrays were fabricated by sol-gel method based on highly ordered nanoporous anodic alumina membrane. Their microstructures were characterized by scanning electron microscopy,transmission electron microscopy, selective electron diffraction spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Results indicated that SnO2 nanotubes have a thickness of about 20-30 nm,and a diameter of about 100-200 nm. The length of the nanotubes is about 1 μn, XRD and SEDS indicated that these SnO2 nanotubes are polycrystalline.