Background
- Antimony tin oxide is one of the most widely used transparent conducting oxides, mainly because of its two chief properties: electrical conductivity and optical transparency, which are important for optoelectronic devices, such as in flat-panel displays and solar cells.
- Current methods for particle and nano-particle tin oxide formation&surface coatings employ acidic media. However, the important need of coating acid-sensitive materials with nano-particulate antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO) films is still a challenge.
Our Innovation
Novel, Generic method for the coating of different surfaces, including acid-sensitive crystals (LiNbO3 and calcite) from an organic, ligand-free, stable hydroperoxostannate and -antimonate solution. This enables coating of minerals and acid-sensitive materials with conductive film.
Key Features
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This method is useful for coating small entities since the ATO nano-particle formation takes place exclusively on surfaces, with no particle growth taking place in the solution.
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Uniform coating of different clays and other irregular configurations by monosized 5 nm ATO particles was demonstrated from an organic ligand-free solution.
Figure: SEM (left) and TEM (right) micrographs of ATO-coated sepiolite (a and b),
porous sol-gel silica powder (c and d), and calcite (e and f). Five nm crystalline ATO particles are visible in the TEM figures.
The Applications
Doped tin oxide coatings can be employed for sensors, catalysis, smart (heated) windows, touch panel displays, voltage-dependent resistors, and LED devices, as well as solar cells and especially polymer solar cells.
Development Milestones
Seeking for Industry cooperation
PATENT STATUS
Granted US 10,119,036
