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Rosaura Salinas
Department of Physics, Astronomy, and Materials Science
University of Missouri-Saint Louis
Advisor: Jingyue (Jimmy) Liu, PhD
Abstract
Tin oxide nanostructures were grown by carbothermal reduction of different materials including tin (IV) oxide (SnO2), tin (II) oxide (SnO) and a combination of tin (IV) oxide with zinc oxide (ZnO) powders. The source material underwent a physical vapor deposition process in a horizontal tube furnace. The resulting condensation occurred in the lower temperature region, either on the tube or on substrates when these were used. When using mica as the substrate, the use of SnO2 by itself and in combination with ZnO as the source material resulted in the growth of star-like clusters of tin oxide nanowires. These main nanowires, or stems, had multiple branching nanowires growing from them. A single sphere was found on the tips of each nanowire, stems and branches; and some nanowires presented the spheres on their surface suggesting these particles act as the catalyst for the growth. This structure was most commonly found in the region 18 to 25 cm downstream from the furnace. The morphology of the as-synthesized nanostructures was examined using a high resolution scanning electron microscope
Rosaura Salinas was born in McAllen, TX and has lived in the Saint Louis area since 2006. She is currently a senior at the University of Missouri-Saint Louis pursuing a degree in Engineering Physics. Molly's interests include material science and photovoltaics.
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