Tin oxide meshes consisting of nanoribbons prepared through an intermediate phase in an aqueous solution

Novel nanoarchitectures of SnO and SnO₂ crystals that had two- and three-dimensionally meshed structures consisting of nanoribbons were prepared through Sn₆U₄(OH)₄ as an intermediate state. Two-dimensional meshes consisting of oriented nanoribbons of single-crystalline tin monoxide (SnO) that was 50-300 nm wide were grown via Sn₆O₄(OH)₄, which was initially produced at room temperature. Textured spherical particles with three-dimensional meshed nanostructures were produced at 60°C in the presence of citric acid in the aqueous system. The formation of the specific architectures is ascribed to the densely branching growth of SnO crystals in a matrix of Sn₆O ₄(OH)₄ as a reactant. The meshed nanostructures of rutile-type tin dioxide were successfully obtained by oxidation of the SnO crystals without deformation of their architectures.