Dispersion stabilization of conductive transparent oxide nanoparticles

A colloidal dispersion of indium tin oxide (ITO) nanoparticles in an organic solvent was achieved using a milling process in which β-diketones or titanate coupling agents were used as a dispersing agent. Isopropyl tri(N-ethylenediamino)ethyl titanate and 2,4-pentanedione were found to be the most suitable dispersants for stabilizing ITO nanoparticles in a mixed organic solvent. The secondary particle size of the colloidal ITO dispersion was markedly affected by operational parameters in the milling process. Stable dispersions of antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO) nanoparticles in organic solvent, using β-diketones as dispersants, were also prepared. The stable dispersions of ITO and ATO nanoparticles were used as conductive transparent film coatings on cathode-ray tube panels. We found that the electrical conductivity of the film coating was affected by the boiling point of the dispersion stabilizers.