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 beta-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 beta-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. (C) 2008 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.