Antimony Tin Oxide Nanoparticles Research Articles

Chemically Synthesized Sb-Doped SnO2 Nanoparticles for Supercapacitor Application

This study explores the potential of antimony tin oxide (ATO) as an electrode material for supercapacitor applications. ATO, known for its exceptional electrical conductivity and stability, was synthesized using the coprecipitation method followed by calcination. The resulting ATO powder underwent thorough characterization through X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). XRD analysis confirmed the tetragonal morphology and phase purity of ATO nanoparticles, while SEM revealed a sphere-like structure with an irregular surface. FTIR spectroscopy identified various functional groups, including O–H stretching, C–H symmetric and asymmetric vibrations, and the characteristic–SnO2; vibration mode, providing insights into the surface properties crucial for electrochemical performance. Electrochemical evaluations, conducted through cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge-discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, demonstrated a specific capacitance of 140 F/g for the ATO electrode. This notable specific capacitance highlights the potential of ATO as an advanced electrode material for supercapacitors, showcasing its suitability for applications requiring rapid charge-discharge cycles and high specific power. This research contributes to the understanding of ATO’s structural and functional aspects, emphasizing its promising role in advancing supercapacitor technology. The synthesized ATO nanoparticles, characterized by their unique morphology and enhanced electrochemical performance, pave the way for cleaner and more efficient energy storage solutions.

Tunable optical properties of ATO-CuO hybrid nanofluids and the application as spectral beam splitters

Nanofluids containing metal nanoparticles have promising application prospects in the spectral beam splitters (SBSs) of photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) setups on the merits of the tunable spectral absorption characteristic and relatively low price. While the existing nanofluid-based SBSs show some difficulties in large-scale industrial applications, such as their poor stability, sophisticated manufacturing process, etc. In this paper, a cheap and stable hybrid nanofluid containing antimony tin oxide (ATO) and cupric oxide (CuO) nanoparticles has proven to be a good candidate for SBSs. ATO has high absorption in the infrared region while CuO shows strong absorption for ultraviolet and visible light, so ATO and CuO nanoparticles have complementary optical properties and the spectral absorption of ATO-CuO hybrid nanofluids is expected to be effectively regulated by adjusting nanoparticles’ composition. Meanwhile, the increase in nanoparticle concentration can enhance the light absorption ability of hybrid nanofluids in the full spectrum. The hybrid nanofluid SBS with a 5:5 ATO:CuO mass ratio and 200 ppm concentration proves to perform best and the merit function is as high as 1.679 (worth factor is 3), which is highly competitive among the metal-based nanofluid SBSs from literature.

Study of wear and corrosion resistance of ATO nanoparticle–doped micro‐arc oxide film layers

AbstractIn order to enhance the corrosion and wear resistance of aluminum alloys in complex and variable environments, an Al2O3 ceramic film was prepared on the surface of 7A04 aluminum alloy in a silicate electrolyte system using a micro‐arc oxidation technique. Subsequently, antimony tin oxide (ATO) nanoparticles were used to dope the micro‐arc oxidation film to enhance the protective properties of the 7A04 aluminum alloy. The structural characteristics of the film were investigated by examining the surface and cross‐sectional morphology and the composition of the physical phases. The results show that ATO nanoparticles can promote the micro‐arc oxidation reaction, improve the surface morphology of the film layer, increase the thickness of the film layer and the denseness after sintering, and enter the film layer in the form of melt wrapping, which plays a role in refining the grain. In the study of the wear resistance and corrosion resistance of ATO‐doped ceramic film layers, it was found that the introduction of ATO nanoparticles did not significantly improve the wear resistance of the micro‐arc oxide ceramic film layers but significantly improved the corrosion resistance of the film layers.

CQD-ATO hybrid nanofluid with good stability in the application of spectral beam splitters

In photovoltaic power systems, nanofluids are promising candidates for spectral beam splitters (SBSs) owing to their excellent spectral absorption regulation characteristics. The drawbacks of high cost and instability restrain the practical application of nanofluid SBSs. Here, we proposed a hybrid nanofluid SBS containing carbon quantum dots (CQDs) and antimony tin oxide (ATO) nanoparticles, which has been proven to be an excellent SBS from multiple perspectives. Both CQDs and ATO nanoparticles have low cost and super stability, which ensures the long-term practical application of hybrid nanofluid SBSs. Then, the light absorption characteristics of hybrid nanofluids can be effectively regulated because of the complementary optical properties of CQDs and ATO nanoparticles. Furthermore, the PV/T conversion model and indoor test were used to assess the filtering performance of hybrid nanofluid SBSs. The results indicate that CQD-ATO hybrid nanofluids can achieve a high merit function value of 1.815, which is significantly higher than pure CQD nanofluids and outperforms other nanofluid SBSs reported in the literature. This paper may promote the practical utilization of nanofluid SBSs in photovoltaic power systems.

Superflexible hybrid aerogel-based fabrics enable broadband electromagnetic wave management

As problematic interference from electromagnetic waves (EMWs) in modern human life continues to increase, broadband EMW management aerogels have received extensive attention in the safety and thermal management fields, but the mismatch in terms of their mechanical flexibility and functionality has limited their application. This work reports an ultra-lightweight (8.7 mg cm−3), superflexible, hyperelastic (≥95% strain), and superhydrophobic (contact angle: 157°) wearable hybrid aerogel-based fabric that offers both electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and infrared (IR) shielding functions. A nanotape-enabled multi-crosslinked hybridization strategy, in which freeze-drying-initiated hydrophobic -Si-O-Si- nanotape welds weak bacterial nanocellulose-silver nanowire interfaces perfectly, gives the fabric outstanding mechanical properties. Optimized synergy gain engineering between the metal and the semiconductor (antimony tin oxide nanoparticles) produces significant enhancements in the electrical conductivity (502.46 S m−1), the EMI shielding effectiveness (SE, 100 dB), and the IR shielding performance (ultralow thermal conductivity of 0.025 W m−1 K−1) of the fabric. The hybrid aerogel-based fabric is fabricated into broadband EMW management clothing, which has excellent prospects for safety and thermal management applications.

Hydrothermal synthesis and characterization of the antimony-tin oxide nanomaterial and its application as a high-performance asymmetric supercapacitor, photocatalyst, and antibacterial agent.

We have synthesized antimony-tin oxide (ATO) nanoparticles chemically for use in antibacterial, photocatalytic, and supercapacitor applications. The XRD pattern reveals the hexagonal structure, while the FTIR spectra validate the functional groups. The agglomerated nanostructures, which are 40-50 nm thick and 100 nm long, are shown in the SEM images as having spherical, cube, square, and rod form morphologies. In a DLS test, ATO has a zeta potential of 28.93/-28.00 mV, demonstrating strong colloidal stability in the suspension. With minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) ranging from 25 to 100 g mL-1, ATO is also tested for its antibacterial activity against a variety of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Additionally, rhodamine dye was broken down by ATO nanoparticles in 240 minutes with a degradation efficiency of 88 percent. The specific capacitance (C s) and energy density (E) values of ATO nanoparticles further demonstrated their suitability for use in supercapacitors.

PREPARATION OF ATO NANOPOWDERS WITH Co-PRECIPITATION AND THEIR LASER-REFLECTION PROPERTIES

Antimony tin oxide (ATO) nanoparticles were prepared using co-precipitation with tin chloride and antimony chloride as the main raw materials. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry were used to characterize the crystal structure, morphology and laser reflectivity. The effects of the pH value, co-precipitation reaction temperature, calcination temperature and calcination time on the laser reflectivity of ATO nanoparticles were studied. The results show that, compared with the undoped SnO2 powder, the reflectivity of a Sb-doped ATO powder at a laser wavelength of 1.06 µm is significantly reduced, and with an increase in the Sb doping, the reflectivity of the ATO powder at 1.06 µm first decreases and then increases. When the Sb/Sn molar ratio is 2/10, the reflectivity decreases to the lowest point, which is caused by the high concentration of Sb5+. ATO powders (Sb/Sn = 2/10) prepared at a titration-end-point pH of 2, co-precipitation temperature of 70 °C, calcination temperature of 800 °C and calcination time of 6 h have the lowest laser reflectivity at the laser wavelength of 1.06 µm, which is less than 0.02 %.

Preparation and Analysis of Functional Silicone Hydrogel Lenses Containing ZrO₂ and Antimony Tin Oxide Nanoparticles.

This study prepared silicone hydrogel ophthalmic lenses using 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA), synthesized silicone monomer (SID), dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), N-hydroxyethyl acrylamide (HEA), ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (a crosslinking agent, EGDMA), and azobisisobutyronitrile (an initiator, AIBN). Also, Zirconium oxide (ZrO₂), antimony tin oxide (ATO) nanoparticles were added to the silicone hydrogel material to analyze the characteristics of the nanoparticles. The mixture was heated at 130 °C for 2 hours to produce the ophthalmic contact lens by cast mould method. As a result, the manufactured silicone hydrogel lens was prepared having high oxygen permeability and tensile strength while satisfying the basic requirements of ophthalmic hydrogel lens materials. Also, the addition of ZrO₂ NPs increased tensile strength of the manufactured lens, and ATO NPs were found to improve wettability. Therefore, ZrO₂ and ATO nanoparticles can be used effectively as additives for functional ophthalmic silicone hydrogel lenses.

A colorimetric paper-based ATONP-ALP nanobiosensor for selective detection of Cd2+ ions in clams and mussels

A colorimetric paper-based enzyme-coupled antimony tin oxide nanoparticle (ATONP) nanobiosensor for selective detection of Cd2+ ions in clams and mussels is presented. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was immobilized on ATONPs via 16-phosphonohexadecanoic acid (16-PHA) to develop ATONP-ALP nanobiosensor. The biosensor was characterized using XPS, Raman spectroscopy, SEM, and EDX. ATONP-ALP nanobiosensor exhibited high selectivity towards detection of Cd2+ ion with a LOD 0.006μgL-1 and linear range of detection 0.005-1μgL-1. The developed biosensor was further integrated into a low-cost paper-based format. A visual color change was obtained for Cd2+ ion in the range 0.1-10μgL-1. The developed biosensor was successfully demonstrated for the analysis of Cd2+ ions in clams with recoveries 101-104%. The ATONP-ALP nanobiosensor was validated using mussel tissue (BCR-668) and the conventional ICP-OES and ICP-MS techniques.

Investigation on the Electrochemical Properties of Antimony Tin Oxide Nanoparticle-Modified Graphene Aerogel as Cathode Matrix in Lithium-Sulfur Battery.

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are considered the most appealing secondary batteries attributed to the ultrahigh theoretical specific capacity as 1675 mA·h·g-1 for elemental sulfur cathode. Nevertheless, there are still several disadvantages (sulfur insulation, insoluble lithium polysulfide, shuttle effect, etc.) impeding the commercial application of Li-S batteries. Recent studies have discovered that nanosized metal oxides can effectively modify the electrochemical properties of composite cathodes in Li-S batteries. In this paper, graphene aerogels (GA) loaded with different mass fractions of antimony tin oxide (ATO) nanoparticles were incorporated with sulfur and utilized as cathode materials for Li-S batteries. The sample (GA/ATO-3) loaded with 3 wt.% ATO nanoparticles showed the best electrochemical performance. For example, the specific discharge capacity of first cycle reached 1210 mA·h·g-1 under a current of 0.1 C. The reversible discharge capacity was reduced to 545 mA·h·g-1 after 50 cycles, namely, the corresponding capacity retention rate was approximately 50%. However, the coulombic efficiency was still near 100%. Potential modification mechanism was considered to be a combination between the GA with excellent conductivity, which effectively improved the internal conductivity of the cathode material, and the ATO nanoparticles, which improved the distribution uniformity of the solid sulfur and its sulfurized product because the ATO nanoparticles acted as heterogeneous nucleation points. Furthermore, the ATO nanoparticles with strong polarity possessed a strong capture ability on the soluble polysulfide ions. For the above reasons, the ATO-loaded GA cathode could effectively inhibit the "shuttle effect," thereby, improved the electrochemical performance of Li-S batteries.

Fabrication of thermo-responsive polymer nanocomposites for smart window applications

Thermo-responsive polymers have attracted much attention in recent years because they can provide a variety of applications for smart devices, but the lack of sufficient mechanical properties and late response rate of the polymers limit their applications. In the current work, we fabricated polymer nanocomposites made from poly(vinyl methyl ether) and nanofillers with photothermal conversion property such as graphene oxide, antimony tin oxide nanoparticles, and silver nanoplates. The prepared nanocomposites showed rapidly reversible and reliable transparent-opaque transitions during the repeated heating and cooling processes, suggesting that they can be applied to smart window applications.

Significantly enhanced electroactive β phase crystallization and UV-shielding properties in PVDF nanocomposites flexible films through loading of ATO nanoparticles: Synthesis and formation mechanism

In this work, we report on the preparation and characterization of a poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) film filled with antimony tin oxide nanoparticles (ATO-NPs), films were prepared via a facile solution casting method to investigate the electroactive β-polymorph formation mechanism and the optical properties of the (ATO/PVDF) nanocomposite films. The impact of the ATO loading on the structural and morphological properties of PVDF were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy techniques. Designing nanocomposites with a combination of the advantages of both PVDF and ATO nanofiller leads to a feasible route to a remarkable increase of the electroactive phase enriched PVDF films. The (0.05) ATO/PVDF composite film exhibits a maximum β-phase fraction of 86% compared with other loadings this may be assigned to the presence of interfacial interactions at the interface between NPs surface and CH2/CF2 dipoles of PVDF inducing the electroactive phases. Furthermore, the thermal properties of the composites were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry technique revealed the effect of the ATO loading on the structural and morphological properties of PVDF. Studying the optical properties of the nanocomposite films exhibit a strong absorbance in the entire UV region compared with neat PVDF, which is very appealing for UV blocking properties.

Barium titanate as a filler for improving the dielectric property of cyanoethyl cellulose/antimony tin oxide nanocomposite films

CEC/ATO and CEC/BTO/ATO nanocomposite films were fabricated by introducing barium titanate (BTO) and antimony tin oxide (ATO) in cyanoethyl cellulose (CEC) via simple solution blending technique. The morphology, microstructure, thermal stability, mechanical, optical and dielectric properties of the nanocomposite films were investigated. The results indicated that CEC/BTO/ATO nanocomposite films possessed better dielectric property and mechanical property compared with CEC/ATO nanocomposite films. This could be ascribed to the homogeneous dispersion of ATO in CEC matrix due to the introduction of BTO. The nanocomposite films with only ATO nanoparticles had a certain optical transmissibility. In addition, all the nanocomposite films possessed better thermal stability than CEC polymer.

Study of the Effect of Calcination Temperature on the Morphology and Activity of Iridium Oxide Electrocatalyst Supported on Antimony Tin Oxide (ATO) for PEM Electrolyser Technology

Iridium oxide nanoparticles supported on Antimony Tin oxide (ATO) have been used for oxygen evolution reaction in polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolysis. The morphology, crystallinity, catalyst-support interaction and electrocatalyst oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity of the catalyst Iridium oxide supported on ATO at various calcination temperatures have been studied. The supported catalyst was synthesized using the modified Polyol method. The synthesized electrocatalyst was physically characterized by Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Thermogravimetric Analysis, X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Brunauer, Emmett and Teller BET surface area measurements. The catalyst was electrochemically characterized by cyclic voltammetry and polarization measurements in a typical three electrode system. The main focus of this work is to study the effect of calcination temperatures of 200, 350, 500 and 700 ⁰C. Iridium oxide phases formed as a function of temperature, degree of crystallization as well as the interaction of Iridium oxide nanoparticles with the ATO nanoparticles support will be presented.

Prediction of the percolation threshold and electrical conductivity of self-assembled antimony-doped tin oxide nanoparticles into ordered structures in PMMA/ATO nanocomposites.

Electrical percolation in nanocomposites consisting of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and antimony tin oxide (ATO) nanoparticles was investigated experimentally using monosize and polydisperse polymer particles. The nanocomposites were fabricated by compression molding at 170 °C. The matrix PMMA was transformed into space filling polyhedra while the ATO nanoparticles distributed along the sharp edges of the matrix, forming a 3D interconnected network. The measured electrical resistivity showed that percolation was achieved in these materials at a very low ATO content of 0.99 wt % ATO when monosize PMMA was used, whereas 1.48 wt % ATO was needed to achieve percolation when the PMMA was polydispersed. A parametric finite element approach was chosen to model this unique microstructure-driven self-assembling percolation behavior. COMSOL Multiphysics was used to solve the effects of phase segregation between the matrix and the filler using a 2D simplified model in the frequency domain of the AC/DC module. It was found that the percolation threshold (pc) is affected by the size ratio between the matrix and the filler in a systematic way. Furthermore, simulations indicate that small deviations from perfect interconnection result mostly in changes in the electrical resistivity while the minimum DC resistivity achievable in any given composite is governed by the electrical conductivity of the filler, which must be accurately known in order to obtain an accurate prediction. The model is quite general and is able to predict percolation behavior in a number of other similarly processed segregated network nanocomposites.

Detection of Different Interfaces in Percolated Networks of Antimony Tin Oxide: Borosilicate Glass Composites by Impedance Spectroscopy

Glass composites containing percolated segregated networks of conducting antimony tin oxide (ATO) nanoparticles were fabricated through the use of a hot‐pressing technique, which resulted in glass microspheres deforming into faceted polyhedra with the ATO located at the edges. Once the ATO percolated, it was shown that minor changes in the processing parameters could cause drastic differences in the electrical properties (as much as 4–5 orders of magnitude in some cases). This study aims to investigate how the hot‐pressing processing conditions, that is, temperature and pressure, can influence the electrical properties of percolated glass/ATO composites. Glass composites containing 4.8 wt% ATO, which is a concentration higher than the percolation threshold, were hot pressed at several different temperatures (550°C–675°C) and pressures (5.8–23.4 MPa) and were examined using impedance spectroscopy. A comprehensive equivalent circuit model was developed based on the microstructure of the composites and the individual impedance behavior of the materials involved. It was found that the physical arrangement as well as the individual properties of the glass, the ATO nanoparticles, and the different interfaces between ATO (point contact vs partially sintered vs glass coated) all contributed to the measured response in a quantitative way. The equivalent circuit model was successful in fitting all of the impedance behaviors at different temperature and pressures thus revealing the influence of the processing conditions on the electrical properties of percolated ATO/glass composites.

Percolation in Borosilicate Glass Matrix Composites Containing Antimony-Doped Tin Oxide Segregated Networks. Part II: Examination of Electrical Behavior Using Impedance Spectroscopy

Glass nanocomposites, fabricated using borosilicate glass microspheres and antimony tin oxide (ATO) nanoparticles, were previously reported to have formed segregated networks at the boundaries of the glass particles. This resulted in an electrically conducting composite at low volume fractions (~0.5–0.8 vol%) of ATO nanoparticles. The wide range of electrical response in these borosilicate glass composites containing networks of varying concentration of ATO was examined using impedance spectroscopy. The electrical resistance of these composites varied over a range of around 12 orders of magnitude and exhibited several different types of insulator and conductor behavior. The formation of the ATO network was identified and tracked by scanning electron microscopy images and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) scans. Detailed impedance spectroscopy analysis using all of the dielectric functions (impedance, permittivity, electric modulus, and admittance) was found to be an excellent method for detecting the development of the network and the effect that processing variables can have on its formation and the overall electrical properties of the nanocomposites.

Preparation and characterization of transparent fluorocarbon emulsion doped with antimony tin oxide and TiO2 as thermal-insulating and self-cleaning coating

A transparent thermal insulation and self-cleaning coating was prepared from a fluorocarbon emulsion doped with antimony tin oxide (ATO) and anatase TiO2 nanoparticles. The thermal insulation and self-cleaning properties of the coating film were optimized by adjusting the amount of ATO and anatase TiO2 nanoparticles in the fluorocarbon emulsion. The fluorocarbon coating containing 2.0 wt% ATO and 0.1 wt% TiO2 possessed good comprehensive properties of thermal resistance, self-cleaning, weathering resistance, etc. Compared with the blank glass substrate, the mean light transmittance of the coating film only decreased by about 12% in the visible range. The temperature in the chamber covered with the coated glasses decreased 7°C lower than the common glass chamber without coating. The methyl red painted on the coating was completely faded after three days of ultraviolet irradiation, so the coating film exhibited an excellent self-cleaning property. The transparent coating with excellent thermal insulation and good self-cleaning will be developed for a potential building glass paint used for energy saving and environmental protection.

Effects of Sb content on structure and laser reflection performance of ATO nanomaterials

Antimony tin oxide (ATO) nano-particles doped with different Sb contents were prepared by co-precipitation method, using SnCl4·5H2O and SbCl3 as main raw materials. Microstructure, morphology and reflectivity curves were characterized by XRD, FESEM, UV-visible spectroscopy and laser, and the effects of Sb content on crystalline microstructure, crystal size and reflectivity curves of the ATO nano-particles were investigated systematically. The results show that the ATO nano-particles prepared by co-precipitation method have tetragonal rutile structure, with particle size distribution range of several decade nanometer. With the increase of Sb content, the grain size of ATO decreases, and the unit cell volume increases. Compared with the SnO2 particles without Sb, the 1.06 μm laser reflection of ATO nano-particles doped with Sb is obviously lower. With the increase of Sb content, the reflection increases first, then decreases; when the Sb content is 20 %, 1.06 μm laser reflection of ATO nano-particles is below 0.02%, and the laser reflection performance is the best.

Percolation and Electrical Conductivity Modeling of Novel Microstructured Insulator-Conductor Nanocomposites Fabricated from PMMA and ATO

ABSTRACTThe electrical conductivity of insulating polymer matrix composites undergoes radical increase at a certain concentration of conductive filler, which is known as the percolation threshold. Polymer matrix conductive nanocomposites were fabricated by compression molding the mechanically mixed poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and antimony tin oxide (ATO) nanoparticles, as has been done with other polymer composites before. The electrical conductivity of PMMA/ATO nanocomposites increased by several orders of magnitude at a small concentration of ATO (∼ 0.27 vol %). The continuous 3D network like distribution of ATO nanoparticles contributed to this percolation at subcritical filler concentrations. The effects of processing parameters on these unique microstructures and electrical properties were investigated. The tetrakaidecahedron-like microstructure was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and was found to be affected by the molding pressure, temperature and amount of nanoparticles. The viscoelastic flow of matrix under the optimum processing conditions allowed the shape transformation of PMMA into space filling polyhedra and an ordered distribution of ATO nanoparticles along the sharp edges of the PMMA. Parametric finite element analysis was performed to model this unique microstructure-driven percolation. The 2D simplified model was generated in AC/DC frequency domain mode in COMSOL Multiphysics®to solve the effects of ordered distribution of conductive nanoparticles on the electrical properties of the composite. There was excellent agreement between experimental and simulated values of electrical conductivity and percolation concentration. This model can be used to predict percolation threshold and electrical properties for any types of composite systems containing insulating matrix and conductive fillers that can form this unique microstructure.