Effect of LABS and Triton X-100 surfactants on the particle size of nanocrystalline ITO powder

The nanocrystal indium tin oxide (ITO) particles were prepared by liquid-phase coprecipitation under given conditions with solution of indium chloride, tin chloride, and ammonia solution. The deionized water was used as solvent and the LABS and Triton X-100 surfactant were used as a dispersant in the reaction system. The sample powder was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) after heat treatments. Based on scanning electron micrograph, the influences of the two different ammonia and ethylendiamide participants and also, the two different dispersants the LABS and Triton X-100 on the distribution and size of nanoparticle were studied. The results showed that the ITO particles are finely crystallized body centered cubic structure. The particle size has distributed in 30-120 nm. Using the LABS surfactant, the particles size were decreased to 30 nm while using the Triton X-100 surfactant, the particles size were increased to 120 nm. Finally, the crystallinity of ITO nanoparticles was increased by using ethylendiamide precipitant, and some porosity appeared.