One-step synthesis of monodispersed antimony-doped tin oxide suspension

Antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO) suspension with monodispersion has been directly synthesized by hydrothermal method by using mixed Sb/Sn hydroxide solution as precursor, and temperature control has been used during the crystal growth. The ATO particles were characterized by XRD, TEM, SEM–EDS and resistance test. X-ray diffraction shows that all Sb ions come into the SnO2 lattice to substitute Sn ions. The crystallinity and doping of Sb are improved through stage heating, compared with that at constantly high temperature. TEM and SEM images indicate the ATO nanoparticles are monodispersed with the size ranging from 10 to 15 nm. The process of stage heating can enhance Sb doped level and realize the synthesis of monodispersed doped oxide particles under low temperature in a short time. The possible growth mechanism is proposed.