Effect of alkaline concentration on the structural and luminescence properties of ZnSnO3 nanoparticles obtained by facile reflux method

We report the green synthesis of cubic ZnSnO3 crystallites by facile reflux method at relatively low temperature (100 °C) without the use of any surfactants or templates. Structural and morphological analysis by XRD, Raman and FESEM confirmed the formation of ZnSnO3 microcubes with perovskite structure. Optical analysis by UV–vis absorption showed a band gap of 3.52 eV, while the PL measurements exhibited emission peaks both in the UV as well as visible region. Experimental results demonstrated that the alkaline concentration have significant influence on the formation of ZnSnO3 nanoparticles. Single phase cubic ZnSnO3 particles were obtained when the molar ratio of Zn2+:Sn4+:OH− was maintained at 1:1:8, whereas mixed phases of ZnSn(OH)6/ZnSnO3 and ZnSnO3/ZnO were obtained when the molar ratio of Zn2+:Sn4+:OH− was maintained at 1:1:<8 and 1: 1:>8, respectively.