Characterization study of polycrystalline tin oxide surfaces before and after reduction in CO

Polycrystalline tin oxide surfaces have been examined before and after reduction in 40 Torr of CO at 100 and 175°C using Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA), ion‐scattering spectroscopy (ISS) and electron‐stimulated desorption (ESD). The changes in the surface composition and chemical states of the surface species generally are subtle for the reductive conditions used. Some of the SnO 2 is reduced to SnO and significant changes do occur with regard to the amounts and chemical forms of the hydrogen‐containing species remaining after both the 100 and 175°C reductions.