Interfacial growth behavior of SnO2nanorods on {110} and {100} facets of α-Fe2O3

Abstract

SnO₂ nanorods with specific growth directions, [101] or [001], were fabricated on α-Fe₂O₃ substrates via a simple hydrothermal method. The growth behavior of SnO₂ nanorods is facet-selective. Both {110} and {100} facets of α-Fe₂O₃ are favorable to direct the growth of SnO₂ nanorods. The correlation between the crystallographic orientation of SnO₂ and the facets of α-Fe₂O₃ is characterized by TEM observations and investigated on the basis of the interfacial lattice compatibility. Furthermore, the distribution and coordination of oxygen atoms at the interface of α-Fe₂O₃–SnO₂ heterostructure are analyzed, which reveals that only slight deviations from their original equilibrium positions are allowed for the formation of heterogeneous interface. And this lower energy activated interfacial construction is beneficial to the feasibility and stability of heterostructures.