Indium Tin Oxide Nanoparticles - Properties, Applications

The numerous research activities based on nanoparticles have helped to pave the way for these particles to be widely used today. This article discusses the properties and applications of indium tin oxide nanoparticles. Indium is a Block P, Period 5 element, oxygen is a Block P, Period 2 element, and tin is a Block P, Period 5 element

Indium tin oxide is a solid solution of indium (III) oxide (In₂O₃) and tin (IV) oxide (SnO₂), usually in about a 90:10 or 95:5 ratio. Indium tin oxide nanoparticles appear as a blue powder, and are graded as an irritant which can cause skin and eye irritation, and trigger allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled. The morphology of these particles is spherical.

Chemical Properties

The chemical properties of indium tin oxide nanoparticles are outlined in the following table.

Physical Properties

The physical properties of indium tin oxide nanoparticles are given in the following table.

Thermal Properties

The thermal properties of indium tin oxide nanoparticles are provided in the table below.

Manufacturing Process

Indium tin oxide nanoparticles can be synthesized using a chemical co-precipitation method in an aqueous solution. The indium-tin ratio should be 9:1 (at.%).

Energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) can be used to characterize morphology and composition of ITO nanoparticles.

Applications

Indium tin oxide is a key material in many electronic devices, as it has the unique properties or being both electrically conductive and optically transparent. The key applications of indium tin oxide nanoparticles are as follows:

• Battery inhibitors
• Solar photovoltaics
• Display panel applications

Source: AZoNano