Zinc Stannate Nanostructures for Energy Conversion†

To date, ternary metal oxide semiconductor materials have attracted extensive attention worldwide due to their unique optoelectronic properties. As a classical ternary oxide, Zn2SnO4 is featured with the high electron mobility, wide band gap, negligible visible light absorption and tailorable electronic band structures. Thus, it is an ideal material for practical use in solar cells, lithium batteries, sensors, and photo-catalysts. In this review, we summarize the recent research progress of this material with the focus on the synthesis methods, nanostructures, and the resulting effects on the crystal structure, optical properties, and photoelectrochemical properties. Moreover, their potential applications in different devices are highlighted and carefully discussed.