Reduction synthesis of tin nanoparticles using various precursors and melting behavior

To achieve a more significant melting point drop through finer particles, chemical reduction synthesis of tin nanoparticles were conducted using four tin precursor agents: tin(II) acetate, tin(II) chloride, tin(II) sulfate, and tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate. Depending on the precursor type, the sizes and size distributions of the synthesized Sn nanoparticles were highly diverse. Tin nanoparticles synthesized with tin(II) sulfate or tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate displayed characteristics of monodispersity at reduced size. The nanoparticles had average diameters of just ~3 nm and ~6 nm, respectively, and exhibited melting points of 102. 2°C and 131. 1°C, which represented extreme drops by 130. 4°C and 101. 5°C in comparison with the melting point of bulk tin.