A sol–gel method to synthesize indium tin oxide nanoparticles

Transparent conductive indium tin oxide (ITO) nanoparticles were synthesized by a novel sol–gel method. Granulated indium and tin were dissolved in HNO3 and partially complexed with citric acid. A sol–gel process was induced when tertiary butyl alcohol was added dropwise to the above solution. ITO nanoparticles with an average crystallite size of 18.5 nm and surface area of 32.6 m2/g were obtained after the gel was heat-treated at 700 °C. The ITO nanoparticles showed good sinterability, the starting sintering temperature decreased sharply to 900 °C, and the 1400 °C sintered pellet had a density of 98.1% of theoretical density (TD).

Graphical abstractIndium tin oxide (ITO) nanoparticles were synthesized by a novel sol–gel method, effectively avoiding contamination of chlorine ions. ITO nanoparticles, with an average crystallite size of 18.5 nm and surface area of 32.6 m2/g after annealing at 700 °C, showed good sinterability; the starting sintering temperature decreased sharply to 900 °C, and the 1400 °C sintered pellet had a relative density of 98.1%.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide