Effect of microstructure on the stability of nanocrystalline tin dioxide ceramics

Powdered nanocrystalline tin dioxide has been prepared by two different methods: conventional hydrolysis of SnCl4 solution and the so-called criosol technique. The latter involves treatment of a sodium stannate solution by a cation exchange resin in the H+ form and subsequent freeze drying. The microstructure, composition, specific surface area and electrical properties of the samples were investigated. The application of the criosol technique was shown to result in stable nanoscale particles of tin dioxide. The sintered pellets obtained by this method are characterised by significantly higher values of the resistance in comparison to material prepared by the conventional technique.