Facile Synthesis, Sintering, and Optical Properties of Single-Nanometer-Scale SnO Particles with a Pyrrolidone Derivative for Photovoltaic Applications.

We investigate the preparation of mesoscopic SnO nanoparticulate films using a Sn(IV) hydrate salt combined with a liquid pyrrolidone derivative to form a homogeneous precursor mixture for functional SnO nanomaterials. We demonstrate that N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) plays a crucial role in forming uniform SnO films by both stabilizing the hydrolysis products of Sn(IV) sources and acting as a base liquid during nanoparticle growth. The hydrolysis of Sn(IV) was controlled by adjusting the reaction temperature to as low as 110 °C for 48 h.