Processing of transparent conducting coatings made with redispersible crystalline nanoparticles

Abstract

The developments in the employment of ITO (In2O3:Sn) nanoparticles, for the preparation of transparent conducting coatings, were discussed. It was found that the redispersable nanoparticles of transparent conducting ITO can be prepared reproducibly and in adquate amounts for industrial applications by a wet chemical processing. Pure coatings of ITO nanoparticles were observed to exhibit insufficient mechanical properties even after sintering at 1000 °C. It was shown that transparent conducting coatings of an ITO nanocomposite with a thickness of up to 1 µm and a sheet resistance of 1 to 2 kù can be obtained on plastic substrates by a fast and flexible Ultraviolet curing process.