SnO2 thin films prepared by dip-coating from microwave synthesized colloidal suspensions.

Abstract Tin(IV) oxide thin films have been prepared by dip-coating. The suspensions used for these depositions have been synthesized by microwave-induced thermohydrolysis of tin tetrachloride aqueous solutions in the presence of hydrochloric acid. Single or multiple depositions were tested, on glass substrates as well as on pure SiO 2 . The obtained thin films were characterized by optical microscopy, interferometric roughness measurements (Micromap), scanning electron microscopy, secondary ion mass spectroscopy, and scanning tunneling microscopy.