Preparation of stable aqueous suspensions of antimony-doped tin oxide nanoparticles used for transparent and thermal insulation fluorocarbon coating

Abstract

In order to prepare the highly stable aqueous suspensions of antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO) used for the transparent and thermal insulation fluorocarbon coating, the effect of sodium polyacrylate (PAAS) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) on the stability of the suspensions was investigated. The stability and dispersity of the suspensions were characterized using zeta potential analyzer, ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometer, and scanning electron microscope. No sediments were observed after 6-month storage of the ATO suspensions containing 0.1 wt% PAAS and 2.0 wt% PVA. The reason why aqueous suspensions were capable of stabilization was explained from a theoretical perspective. A new model of steric hindrance for colloid particles stabilized by binary dispersant was proposed, which may have positive contribution to other colloid system containing two dispersants. A nano-composite fluorocarbon coating, exhibiting a good thermal insulation and high transmittance, was formed after ATO suspensions were added in fluorocarbon emulsion. The temperature inside the chamber was decreased by 6.0 °C, and 75.0 % visible light rays could pass through the coating.