The preparation and characterization of nanocrystalline indium tin oxide films

The development of nanostructured coatings with improved abrasion resistance, electromagnetic shielding, thermal conductivity, refractive index, and transparency requires careful manipulation of material composition, nanostructure size, and composite structure. The selected materials must be processable and yield the desired physical properties. The correct nanostructure size is important because often multiple physical properties are desired, i.e., conductivity or abrasion resistance with transparency. The correct composite structure must be selected for the desired physical property from uniform surface distribution for abrasion resistance to connected structures for electrical conductivity. Nanostructured coatings formed by the addition of dense, crystalline nanoparticles to a continuous second phase will be discussed. The particles are manufactured by gas phase condensation and the continuous phase vareies from epoxy polymers to silica. Particle size, material composition and surface treatments are manipulated to control composite properties and structure. Transparent/conductive and transparent/abrasion resistant coatings will be discussed with respect to a broad range of market applications including electronic materials, optical and magnetic devices, catalysts and structural materials.