Thermal exploration of sonochemically achieved SnS2 nanoparticles: Elemental, structural, and morphological investigations of TG residual SnS2

The nanoparticles (Nps) of tin disulfide (SnS₂) are synthesized by sonochemical route. The Nps are characterized by dispersive analysis of X-ray energy (EDAX) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to get the chemical composition. The diffraction of X-ray (XRD) is used for determination of phase and crystal structure. The as-synthesized Nps are polycrystalline and possess hexagonal structure. The surface morphology of the as-synthesized Nps is examined by electron microscopy in scanning (SEM) and high-resolution transmission modes. The residual sample after the thermal analysis is characterized by EDAX, XPS, XRD, SEM and Fourier transformed infra-red spectroscopy. The obtained results of the post-thermal analyzed and as-synthesized SnS₂ Nps samples are compared. The thermal analysis of the Nps is carried out by recording the thermogravimetric and differential thermogravimetric curves. These simultaneous thermo-curves are recorded in the temperature range of ambient to 850 K in inert nitrogen atmosphere for three heating rates of 5, 10, 15 and 20 K·min⁻¹. The thermal curves data are analyzed by the isoconversional Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose, Flynn-Wall-Ozawa, and Friedman methods, and the thermodynamic parameters; activation energy (E_a), change in activation entropy (ΔS*), change in activation enthalpy (ΔH*) and change in activation Gibb's free energy (ΔG*) are determined. All the obtained outcomes are discussed in detail.