Preserved crystal phase and morphology: Improving the magnetic and electrochemical performance of sulfur doped tin oxide nanoparticles synthesized via the hydrothermal method

Herein, we report synthesis of bare and Sulfur (S) doped SnO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) using simple and low cost hydrothermal method. S with different concentration (0, 2, 4 and 6) were doped in SnO₂ and named as bare SnO₂, 2%S:SnO₂, 4%S:SnO₂ and 6%S:SnO₂, respectively. The synthesized NPs were characterized for structural, functional, optical, morphological, electrochemical and magnetic properties. XRD confirms the tetragonal structure of bare SnO₂ 2%S:SnO₂, 4%S:SnO₂ and 6%S:SnO₂ NPs. The crystallite size and microstrain was calculated using the Scherrer equation, W-H plot, SSP plot, and H-W plot and are in well agreement with each other. The FTIR confirmed formation of S-O and Sn-O bonding. The direct energy band gap values of bare SnO₂, 2%S:SnO₂, 4%S:SnO₂ and 6%S:SnO₂ are 3.8 eV, 3.6 eV, 3.1 eV and 2.2 eV, respectively. The electrochemical performance (ECP) of bare SnO₂ and 2%S:SnO₂ NPs were studied by making their electrodes through CV, GCDs, and EIS measurements. The bare SnO₂ and 2%S:SnO₂ electrodes show the specific capacitance of 125 F/g and 225 F/g at a current density of 3 A/g proves S doping enhances the capacitive performance of SnO₂ NPs. The VSM shows paramagnetic behavior changes into ferromagnetic behavior with S doping.