Electron beam induced crystallization in Fe-doped SnO2 nanoparticles

Nanoscale particles of Fe-doped SnO2 were intensively radiated in a high-energy electron beam observed in situ in a transmission electron microscope. Generation of small crystalline grains from agglomerated nanoparticles was observed. Electron diffraction patterns confirmed that the grains belonged to the orthorhombic phase of SnO2, which forms only under pressures higher than 140 kbar according to previous research. A possible process for the phase transition is discussed. The result suggests a novel method of producing orthorhombic SnO2 at low pressure.