Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) dispersed in surfactants were investigated as additional conductive elements in an antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO) matrix. Dispersion of MWNTs in a cationic surfactant was more efficient than in anionic or non-ionic surfactants. Precursor solutions as well as coatings of ATO and ATO/MWNT composites were characterized. The effect of the addition of MWNTs on the optical, electrical and mechanical properties of the original ATO coatings was demonstrated. Low concentrations of MWNTs are sufficient to decrease the resistivity of conducting ATO films by a factor of 16, with preserved transparency (90%) in the visible range. Fewer ATO nanoparticles and lower sintering temperatures than those presented in the literature lead to films with comparable resistivities and even higher transparency, with reduced manufacturing costs. The addition of MWNTs has also increased the hardness of the ATO coatings from HB to 2H-4H, depending on the MWNT concentration employed.
Semiconductor Science and Technology , 2008, 23 (3), 035013.