  Metal oxide nanostructures are widely used in energy applications like super
capacitors and Li-on battery. Smaller size nanocrystals show better stability,
low ion diffusion time, higher-ion flux and low pulverization than bigger size
nanocrystals during electrochemical operation. Studying the distinct properties
of smaller size nanocrystals such as quantum dots (QDs) can improve the
understanding on reasons behind the better performance and it will also help in
using QDs or smaller size nanoparticles (NPs) more efficiently in different
applications. Aqua stable pure SnO2 QDs with compositional stability and high
surface to volume ratio are studied as an electrochemical super capacitor
material and compared with bigger size NPs of size 25 nm. Electron energy-loss
spectroscopic study of the QDs revealed dominant role of surface over the bulk.
Temperature dependent study of low frequency Raman mode and defect Raman mode
of QDs indicated no apparent volume change in the SnO2 QDs within the
temperature range of 80-300 K. The specific capacitance of these high surface
area and stable SnO2 QDs has showed only 9% loss while increasing the scan rate
from 20 mV/S to 500 mV/S. Capacitance loss for the QDs is less than 2% after
1000 cycles of charging discharging, whereas for the 25 nm SnO2 NPs, the
capacitance loss is 8% after 1000 cycles. Availability of excess open volume in
QDs leading to no change in volume during the electro-chemical operation and
good aqua stability is attributed to the better performance of QDs over bigger
sized NPs.
