Synthesis and characterization of antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO) with nanometer-sized particles and their conductivities

This study focused on finding the optimum conditions for displaying higher conductivity in an ATO-PET film prepared using the solvothermal method. The conductivity of the ATO film with Sb1.5:Sn8.5 increased to 800 °C calcinations. It did not, however, increase further even though the calcinations were at a temperature above 1000 °C. The average grain size measured from the FESEM micrographs was distributed within a 5.0-nm (at 400 °C) to 50.0-nm (at 1000 °C) range. It was determined from the XRD results that the special peaks assigned to the SnO2 tetragonal type dominated until 1000 °C in the ATO particles with Sb1.5:Sn8.5. It was also confirmed that the hydrophilicity (the T–OH/T–O ratio was larger) of the ATO nano-particle with Sb1.5:Sn8.5 was largest at 600 °C calcinations. Its binding energy remarkably increased at 1000 °C calcination. In various Sb:Sn mole ratios, the conductivity was at its best in ATO films (for Sb1.5:Sn8.5) with 600 °C calcinations, 9.0×105 (Ω/□). When 1,4-butanediol was used as a solvent, the conductivity of the ATO film was enhanced and the ATO film exhibited higher distribution than the other solvents did. The conductivity of the ATO film prepared in basic conditions (pH=10.0) was enhanced compared to those in acidic conditions.