Electrodeposition of SnO2 nanostructures onto copper substrates and their electrochemical properties

Abstract

Potentiostatic electrodeposition of SnO2 thin films from an oxygenated tin chloride bath on anodised copper substrates has been achieved at a bath temperature of 85 °C. At the bath temperature of 85 °C, the evolution of nanoplates, nanoparticles and nanocubes are observed. Aqueous battery and bio-sensing characteristics of the SnO2 nanostructures were assessed. The electrodes are cycled between –1 and +1 V in LiOH.H2O, Li2CO3 and Na2SO4 electrolyte solutions by cyclic voltammetry method. The test results exhibit that the nanocrystalline SnO2 anode is a proficient electrode material for the aqueous lithium battery. Electrochemical detection of ascorbic acid (AA) on the nanostructured SnO2 electrode has also been assessed and SnO2 nanocubes displayed eminent electro catalytic activity towards the oxidation of AA.