Microwave assisted fast and facile synthesis of SnO2 quantum dots and their printing applicationsElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental details, EDX, HR-TEM, proposed 3D networks of ILs, proposed formation mechanism of SnO2 QDs, images of nano-ink, PL, variation of resistance, diagram of ink-jet printing process, optical and SEM images of printed SnO2 lines and sensing selectivity. See DOI: 10.1039/c0cc01156h

An efficient synthesis of highly crystalline SnO 2 QDs with a narrow size distribution (4.27 ± 0.67 nm) was achieved by microwave-assisted decomposition of Sn(O t Bu) 4 in ionic liquid. Printed structures fabricated from SnO 2 QDs showed typical semiconducting I - V behaviors, and gas sensing properties. Highly crystalline SnO 2 QDs are synthesized by a novel microwave assisted method. Its aqueous solution showed promising potential as nano-ink for printing gas sensors and other semiconductor devices.