Effect of oxalic acid on stabilization and property of Sb-doped tin oxide sol

Zeta potential Studies show that the ATO nanoparticle Surface is positively charged in pH range from 2 to 5 without oxalic acid. The addition of oxalic acid brings a charge reversal on the surface of ATO particle in a wide pH range. The interaction of oxalic acid with surface of ATO nanoparticle was studied by FTIR and indicates that the most probable mechanism is the formation of Sn-O-C bonds via the condensation reaction between the oxalic acid and surface hydroxyl groups. TEM, X-ray diffraction and UV-Vis-Near IR spectra were used to characterize the nanocrystal line ATO sol and thin gel film.