The impact of sintering temperature on microstructure, optical and thermal properties of SnO₂ ceramics

This study explores the influence of sintering temperature on the structural, morphological, and optical properties of tin oxide (SnO₂) ceramics. The SnO₂ samples were subjected to sinter at temperatures of 200 °C, 800 °C, and 1000 °C. The novelty of our approach lies in the comprehensive multi-technique characterization used to analyze the effects of sintering on SnO2. We employed powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), UV–Vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to obtain a detailed understanding of the material’s properties. Our findings reveal that the tetragonal rutile phase of SnO₂ is retained across all sintering temperatures, indicating structural stability and the average crystallite size increases with higher temperatures. Notably, the charge density distribution and bonding nature of the SnO₂ ceramics were elucidated using the maximum entropy method (MEM), offering new insights into the electronic interactions within the material. SEM images confirmed a homogeneous distribution of powder grains, and EDS revealed detailed elemental compositions. Additionally, UV–Vis spectra indicated a consistent increase in the optical band gap with sintering temperature. TGA/DTA analysis provided a comprehensive view of the thermal stability of the ceramics. This multi-technique approach offers a thorough understanding of how sintering conditions impact SnO₂ ceramics, with implications for their use in electronic and optical applications.