Mechanothermal Synthesis of SrSnO3

The synthesis of strontium metastannate (SrSnO3) has been performed by coupling mechanical activation with thermal activation of SnC2O4-SrCO3 mixtures. The solid state reaction has been studied by TG-DSC analysis and X-ray powder diffraction. By annealing experiments performed on physical mixtures (no mechanical activation) it has been assessed that the formation of SrSnO3occurs through the intermediateSr2SnO4and is complete only after annealing at 1400°C. By performing the annealing experiments on activated mixtures it has been established that the formation of SrSnO3takes place directly at temperatures between 800 and 1000°C. The SrSnO3 samples obtained at 800 and 900°C show, by TG analysis, mass loss processes that suggests that SrSnO3 obtained at these temperatures absorbs air moisture (H2O, CO2) so that it can be used as gas sensor. This is no longer true for the sample obtained at 1000°C or above.