Synthesis of SrSnO3/SnO2 Composites via Thermal Decomposition of a Precursor

The tin(IV) strontium double hydroxide SrSn(OH)(6), mixed with amorphous hydrous tin dioxide, has been synthesized by adding aqueous ammonia to strontium and tin(IV) chloride solutions to pH 10. The thermolysis of the material thus prepared and the phase composition of its decomposition products have been studied by differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The results demonstrate that the main dehydration steps reach completion at a temperature near 350 degrees C and that the thermolysis product is an X-ray amorphous material. At a temperature above 650 degrees C, this material transforms into a nanocomposite consisting of a crystalline strontium stannate phase and tin dioxide. Using impedance measurements, we have determined the ionic conductivity of composite solid electrolytes prepared by adding the synthesized nanocomposites to ionic compounds.