Indium Tin Oxide conductive nanoparticles synthesized by sonochemical method

Abstract

This work reports the synthesis of Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) nanoparticles via sonochemical process at various calcination temperature using InCl3 and SnCl4·5H2O as starting precursors for In and Sn sources, respectively. The crystal structure properties of the samples were investigated by X-ray diffraction. Meanwhile, the size, shape and microstructure of the particles were observed by field emission scanning electron microscope and chemical composition was investigated by energy dispersive X-ray Spectrophotometer. The corresponding optical band gap was determined by diffuse reflectance spectra. The XRD results showed that the as-prepared powders were initially formed in amorphous phase and the crystalline structure of powders were obtained after calcination beyond specific temperature. The correlated reactions and mechanisms during sonochemical process responsible for ITO formation are suggested. The comparison between ITO powders prepared by sonochemical process and co-precipitation process is additionally carried out and the results show significant differences in their morphology and crystallite sizes of the particles.