Synthesis of (SnO2)xZnO(1-x) via hydrothermal method and production of target materials

In this study, phase development of hydrothermally synthesized (SnO2)x(ZnO)1-x powder which has wide range of application areas, was examined with different x values (x=0-1). Depending on the changing x value ZnO (x = 0), SnO2 (x = 1) and Zn2SnO4 (x=0.29) phases have been obtained, while ZnSnO3 has not been obtained under the conditions of synthesis. Formation of ZnO phase pH, concentration of starting material, synthesis environments and time were evaluated in terms of process parameters. ZnO powder which has 99.96% purity (by mass), 4-10 μm particle size, flower and rod like morphology, was synthesized successfully at 100 º C by the hydrothermal method. Concentration of starting material, hydrothermal synthesis temperature and time were studied in detail for obtaining of pure Zn2SnO4 and ZnSnO3 phases. The results showed that 99.93% (by mass) purity of Zn2SnO4 powder can be produced Zn/Sn=2.4:1 by mole with 220°C, 24 hours by hydrothermal synthesis. Sintering behavior of obtained powders which have stable phases, have been examined and formed into the ceramic target materials for to be used in thin film applications. Sintering temperatures were determined 1100°C for ZnO and 1200°C for Zn2SnO4. Keywords: Hydrothermal method, (SnO2)x(ZnO)1-x, ZnO, Zn2SnO4, ZnSnO3, target material