Surface modification of Sn-In₂O₃ nanopowders

In order to increase the dispersive effect of Sn-In₂O₃ nanopowders in organic MMA solution, the ways of mechanical and ultrasonic dispersion were used to modify the surface of Sn-In₂O₃ nanopowders when PEG4000, KH570, oleic acid and stearyl alcohol were choosed as dispersant. The effect of dispersant category, dispersant dosage and the time of ball milling on Sn-In₂O₃ nanopowders was studied. The best modified processing conditions in MMA solution were found as follows: Glycol as dispersion medium, molecular dosages of KH570 and diethylene glycol for 0.1% and 0.016% respectively, ball milling for 10 h, ultrasonic dispersion for 30 min and dried by infrared. The structure and parcel performance of nanopowders were characterized by HRTEM and FT-IR. The result shows that the particle size is about 50 nm, the surface is modified by amorphous dispersants. There is preferable dispersibility without distinct birdnesting among grains.