Dispersion stability of tin(IV) oxide nanoparticles in polar solvents and water aided by ultrasonication

Dispersion stability of tin(IV) oxide nanoparticles dispersed in N-Methy-2-Pyrrolidone (NMP), dimethylformamide (DMF) and distilled water assisted by ultrasonication was investigated, aiming to identify a suitable liquid medium to effectively disperse tin(IV) oxide for many useful applications. The dispersions' stability was characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and Zeta potential. The results show that distilled water has the highest stability with optimum sonication of 1 h. NMP shows better stability and consistency than DMF at different sonication timings. Good agreement between ultraviolet-visible absorbance and Zeta potentials shows that both distilled water and NMP are good mediums to produce highly stable tin(V) oxide dispersion.