Abstract: A series of nanocrystalline SnO₂ powders, doped with different Sb contents, were synthesized by route of alkoxides hydrolysis using SnCl₄•5H₂O and SbCl₃ as starting materials and calcined at different temperatures. The microstructure and morphology of samples are investigated by XRD and TEM, the valence state changes of Sb in SnO₂ crystal lattice is detected by Mössbauer spectroscopy and XPS.The resistivity of powders is examined with a mould of inside diameter d=10mm at a constant pressure. The results show that lightly-doping Sb is effective means of semiconducting of nanocrystalline SnO₂. The ratio of Sb⁵⁺ to Sb³⁺ decreases with increasing Sb content in SnO₂ crystal lattices and calcination temperature. The XPS diffraction confirms the same result as Mössbauer spectroscopy.

Key words:  tin oxide; doping; Mössbauer spectroscopy; XPS