Low-temperature fabrication of sol–gel NiO film for optoelectronic devices based on the ‘fuel’ of urea

In this work, NiO coating is fabricated by a low temperature ‘combustion process’ driven by ‘chemical oven’ on quartz and indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates followed by an annealing process in air at 225 °C for 2 h. The NiO coating is analyzed by means of thermalgravimetric differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electric microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscope (AFM), and UV–visible spectrometer. A prelimilary photovoltaic performance measurement of the fabricated device (ITO/NiO/poly-TPD/PC₇₁BM/Al) shows a short circuit current density (J_sc) of 5.28 mA cm⁻² and power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 1.56% under an illumination of 100 mW cm⁻². The PCE of device with combustion NiO HTLs is almost 10-fold higher than those of the devices based on common NiO HTLs. The combustion fabricated NiO coating may provide an effective approach to fabricate other NiO-based optoelectrical devices at relative low temperature.     

Structural,magnetic, and textural properties of iron oxide-reduced graphene oxide hybrids and their use for the electrochemical detection of chromium

Superparamagnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were anchored on reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanosheets by co-precipitation of iron salts in the presence of different amounts of graphene oxide (GO). A pH dependent zeta potential and good aqueous dispersions were observed for the three hybrids of Fe₃O₄ and RGO. The structure, morphology and microstructure of the hybrids were examined by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. TEM images reveal lattice fringes (d₃₁₁ = 0.26 nm) of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles with clear stacked layers of RGO nanosheets. The textural properties including the pore size distribution and loading of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles to form Fe₃O₄–RGO hybrids have been controlled by changing the concentration of GO. An observed maximum (～10 nm) in pore size distribution for the sample with 0.25 mg ml^?1 of GO is different from that prepared using 1.0 mg ml^?1 GO. The superparamagnetic behavior is also lost in the latter and it exhibits a ferrimagnetic nature. The electrochemical behavior of the hybrids towards chromium ion was assessed and a novel electrode system using cyclic voltammetry for the preparation of an electrochemical sensor platform is proposed. The textural properties seem to influence the electrochemical and magnetic behavior of the hybrids.     

A hybrid microreactor/microwave high-pressure flow system of a novel concept design and its application to the synthesis of silver nanoparticles

This article reports on a microreactor/microwave high-pressure flow hybrid apparatus of a novel concept design, which includes both the microreactor and a spiral reactor, and its efficient use in the synthesis of silver nanoparticles of relatively uniform sizes (4.3 ± 0.7 nm) under microwave irradiation. By contrast, under otherwise identical experimental conditions but with conventional heating, the nanoparticle size was non-uniform (8.3 ± 2.7 nm) and the spiral reactor walls were covered with a silver mirror deposit. Formation of the nanoparticles was monitored by UV–visible spectroscopy (plasmonic absorption band; LSPR), TEM and by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Both the spiral microreactor and the spiral quartz reactor of the hybrid system played an important role in the synthesis, with the microreactor providing the environment wherein mixing of the aqueous solution of [Ag(NH₃)₂]⁺ and the solution of glucose (the reducing agent) and poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (PVP; stabilizer/dispersing agent) occurred. The microwaves provided the thermal energy to effect a uniform growth of the silver nanoparticles at temperatures above 120 °C. Mixing the two solutions by conventional methods (no microreactor) failed to yield such nanoparticles even under microwave irradiation and no formation of a silver mirror occurred in the inner walls of the spiral reactor.     

Hydrogen reduced graphene oxide/metal grid hybrid film: towards high performance transparent conductive electrode for flexible electrochromic devices

The metal grid and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) are both promising transparent conductive materials for replacing the indium tin oxide (ITO) in flexible optoelectronics. However, the large empty area that exists in the grid together with the relatively high sheet resistance of RGO hinder both the materials for practical applications. In this work, we report for the first time a novel strategy for efficient combination of the metal grid and RGO by using a newly developed room-temperature reduction technique. The obtained RGO/metal grid hybrid films not only overcome the shortcomings of individual components but exhibit enhanced optical and electrical performances (R_s = 18 Ω sq⁻¹ and T = 80%) and excellent flexural endurance. With this hybrid film as the window electrode, a highly flexible electrochromic device with excellent stability and ultra-fast response shorter than 60 ms has been successfully fabricated. Considering its high efficiency, high quality, low cost and large area, the strategy would be particularly useful for economically fabricating various metal grid/RGO films which are quite promising high performance transparent and conductive materials for next generation optoelectronic devices.     

Synthesis of bimetallic PtPd nanocubes on graphene with N,N-dimethylformamide and their direct use for methanol electrocatalytic oxidation

Bimetallic PtPd nanocubes supported on graphene nanosheets (PtPdNCs/GNs) were prepared by a rapid, one-pot and surfactant-free method, in which N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) was used as a bi-functional solvent for the reduction of both metal precursors and graphene oxide (GO) and for the surface confining growth of PtPdNCs. The morphology, structure and composition of the thus-prepared PtPdNCs/GNs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution TEM, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Because no surfactant or halide ions were involved in the proposed synthesis, the prepared PtPdNCs/GNs were directly modified onto a glassy carbon electrode and showed high electrocatalytic activity for methanol oxidation in cyclic voltammetry without any pretreatments. Moreover, with the synergetic effects of Pt and Pd and the enhanced electron transfer by graphene, the PtPdNCs/GNs composites exhibited higher electrocatalytic activity (j_p = 0.48 A mg⁻¹) and better tolerance to carbon monoxide poisoning (I_f/I_b = 1.27) compared with PtPd nanoparticles supported on carbon black (PtPdNPs/C) (j_p = 0.28 A mg⁻¹; I_f/I_b = 1.01) and PtNPs/GNs (j_p = 0.33 A mg⁻¹; I_f/I_b = 0.95). This approach demonstrates that the use of DMF as a solvent with heating is really useful for reducing GO and metal precursors concurrently for preparing clean metal–graphene composites.     

Synthesis and characterization of robust zero valent iron/mesoporous carbon composites and their applications in arsenic removal

Nanoscale zero valent iron particles (nZVI) have been developed by in situ reduction of Fe³⁺ ions onto a mesoporous type of carbon matrix – Starch-Derived Mesoporous Carbonaceous Material previously reported and marketed commercially as “Starbon”. The obtained nZVI/Starbon hybrid material exhibits homogeneous distribution of nZVI (10–20 nm) within the carbon matrix, surface area of 141 m²/g and a total iron loading of 1 mmol per gram of the composite, in accordance with transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), N₂ adsorption–desorption measurements, Infrared (IR)/Raman spectroscopy and Thermal gravimetric (TG)/Differential Thermal analysis (DTA). Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) and proton binding measurements show that the nanoparticles have a core–shell structure with iron(III) oxide/hydroxide shell due to partial air-oxidation of nZVI and the composite exhibits four different types of proton binding groups. Most importantly, the nZVI/Starbon hybrid has been tested as absorbent for As(III) removal showing a total removal of 358 μmol (26.8 mg) of As(III) per gram of the composite at pH = 7. We also discuss the principal role of surface OH groups of iron oxide in arsenic uptake and the crucial effect of pH on removal efficiency.     

Divalent silver oxide-diatomite hybrids: Synthesis,characterization and antibacterial activity

To produce better antibacterial and low water-soluble submicron powders of divalent silver oxide (AgO), divalent silver oxide-diatomite (AgO-d) hybrids were studied. AgO-d hybrids were prepared by chemical oxidation, using silver nitrate and diatomite as raw materials and potassium persulfate as oxidant. The results show that AgO-d hybrids with AgO weight percentage up to 20.8% are obtained by oxidation of Ag⁺ adsorbing on diatomite in alkaline solution (n(KOH)/n(AgNO₃)=7.5) for 1.5 h at 333.15 K. Products were characterized by laser particle sizer, SEM, XRD, XPS, FT-IR and atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). AgO-d hybrids are composed of tetragonal cristobalite, amorphous silica, monoclinic divalent silver oxide and a few of cubic silver oxide. Element Ag can be released from AgO-d hybrids but the dissolution speed is slow, which is about 3.20×10^?2 mg (L h)^?1. Antibacterial effectiveness of AgO-d hybrids was tested against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus ATCC6538) and Escherichia coli (E. coli ATCC8099) by the shake-flask method. Results show that AgO-d hybrids possess excellent antibacterial properties. When the concentration of AgO-d hybrids is 10 mg L^?1 and the contact time with S. aureus and E. coli is 30 min, the bactericidal rates reach up to 99.974% and 99.944%, respectively.     

Synthesis and electrochemical performance of reduced graphene oxide/maghemite composite anode for lithium ion batteries

Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) tethered with maghemite (γ-Fe₂O₃) was synthesized using a novel modified sol–gel process, where sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate was introduced into the suspension to prevent the undesirable formation of an iron oxide 3D network. Thus, nearly monodispersed and homogeneously distributed γ-Fe₂O₃ magnetic nanoparticles could be obtained on surface of graphene sheets. The utilized thermal treatment process did not require a reducing agent for reduction of graphene oxide. The morphology and structure of the composites were investigated using various characterization techniques. As-prepared rGO/Fe₂O₃ composites were utilized as anodes for half lithium ion cells. The 40 wt.%-rGO/Fe₂O₃ composite exhibited high reversible capacity of 690 mA h g⁻¹ at current density of 500 mA g⁻¹ and good stability for over 100 cycles, in contrast with that of the pure-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles which demonstrated rapid degradation to 224 mA h g⁻¹ after 50 cycles. Furthermore, the composite showed good rate capability of 280 mA h g⁻¹ at 10C (∼10,000 mA g⁻¹). These characteristics could be mainly attributed to both the use of an effective binder, poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), and the specific hybrid structures that prevent agglomeration of nanoparticles and provide buffering spaces needed for volume changes of nanoparticles during insertion/extraction of Li ions.     

Strong adsorption of arsenic species by amorphous zirconium oxide nanoparticles

A novel oxide adsorbent of amorphous zirconium oxide (am-ZrO₂) nanoparticles was synthesized by a simple hydrothermal process for effective arsenic removal from aqueous environment. Due to their high specific surface area (327.1 m²/g), large mesopore volume (0.68 cm³/g), and the presence of high affinity surface hydroxyl groups, am-ZrO₂ nanoparticles demonstrated exceptional adsorption performance on both As(III) (arsenite) and As(V) (arsenate) without pre-treatment at near neutral condition. At pH ～ 7, the adsorption kinetic is fast and the adsorption capacity is high (over 83 mg/g for As(III) and over 32.4 mg/g for As(V), respectively). Under low equilibrium arsenic concentrations (C_e at 0.01 mg/L, the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for arsenic in drinking water), the amount of arsenic adsorbed by am-ZrO₂ nanoparticles is over 0.92 mg/g for As(III) and over 5.2 mg/g for As(V), respectively. The adsorption mechanism of arsenic species onto am-ZrO₂ nanoparticles was found to follow the inner-sphere complex mechanism. Testing with arsenic contaminated natural lake water confirmed the effectiveness of these am-ZrO₂ nanoparticles in removing arsenic from natural water. The immobilized am-ZrO₂ nanoparticles on glass fiber cloth demonstrated an even better arsenic removal performance than dispersed am-ZrO₂ nanoparticles in water, paving the way for their potential applications in water treatment facility to treat arsenic contaminated water body without pre-treatment.     

Microwave-enhanced catalytic degradation of phenol over nickel oxide

A mix-valenced nickel oxide, NiO_x, was prepared from nickel nitrate aqueous solution through a precipitation with sodium hydroxide and an oxidation by sodium hypochlorite. Further, pure nickel oxide was obtained from the NiO_x by calcination at 300, 400 and 500 °C (labeled as C300, C400 and C500, respectively). They were characterized by thermogravimetry (TG), X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption at −196 °C and temperature-programmed reduction (TPR). Their catalytic activities towards the degradation of phenol were further studied under continuous bubbling of air through the liquid phase. Also, the effects of pH, temperature and kinds of nickel oxide on the efficiency of the microwave-enhance catalytic degradation (MECD) of phenol have been investigated. The results indicated that the relative activity affected significantly with the oxidation state of nickel, surface area and surface acidity of nickel oxide, i.e., NiO_x (>+2 and S_BET = 201 m² g⁻¹) ≫ C300 (+2 and S_BET = 104 m² g⁻¹) > C400 (+2 and S_BET = 52 m² g⁻¹) > C500 (+2 and S_BET = 27 m² g⁻¹). The introduction of microwave irradiation could greatly shorten the time of phenol degradation.     

A chemiluminescence sensor for determination of epinephrine using graphene oxide–magnetite-molecularly imprinted polymers

A chemiluminescence (CL) sensor for the determination of epinephrine using the system of luminol–NaOH–H₂O₂ based on a graphene oxide–magnetite-molecularly imprinted polymer (GM-MIP) is described. The epinephrine GM-MIP was synthesized using graphene oxide (G) which improved the adsorption capacity, and magnetite nanoparticles which made the polymers easier to use in the sensor. The adsorption performance and properties were characterized. The GM-MIP was used in CL analysis to increase the selectivity and the possible mechanism was also discussed. The CL sensor responded linearly to the concentration of epinephrine over the range 1.04 × 10^?7–7.06 × 10^?3 mol/L with a detection limit of 1.09 × 10^?9 mol/L (3σ). The relative standard deviation for determination was 3.87%. On the basis of speediness and sensitivity, the sensor is reusable and shows a great improvement in selectivity and adsorption capacity over other sensors. The sensor had been used for the determination of epinephrine in drug samples.     

Synthesis and catalytic application of Pd nanoparticles in graphite oxide

Pd nanoparticles of 1–6 nm were synthesized in graphite oxide (GO) via cation exchange. The synthesis procedure involved immobilization of the precursor Pd(NH₃)₄(NO₃)₂ in GO, followed by reduction in flowing H₂. The resulting low-loaded Pd–GO material was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared (IR) spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Structural characterization revealed that intercalation of the precursor took place in GO and the reduced Pd nanoparticles were situated both on the external surface and in the interlamellar space of the GO lamellae. The catalytic behaviour of Pd–GO was investigated in the liquid-phase hydrogenations of 3-hexyne and 4-octyne under standard conditions. For both reactants, marked turnover frequencies (18–36 s^?1) and pronounced (Z)-alkene stereoselectivities (93–98.4%) were obtained, indicating that Pd–GO was a highly active and stereoselective catalyst. For the stereoselective hydrogenation of 3-hexyne, Pd–GO exhibited an outstanding catalytic performance: at reactant:Pd (S:Pd) ratios ? 5000, complete conversions were achieved in 8–15 min and the (Z)-alkene stereoselectivities exceeded 98%.     

Direct preparation of silver nanoparticles and thin films in CO2-expanded hexane

Small, uniform and suspended silver nanoparticles were directly prepared in CO₂-expanded hexane by reducing a synthesized metal precursor, silver isostearate, with hydrogen but without introducing additional capping agents. By increasing CO₂ pressure, the suspended silver nanoparticles could be further deposited on a solid substrate to form silver thin film via gas antisolvent and the subsequent supercritical drying processes. The silver thin films prepared by the aforementioned method possessed a uniform thickness of about 150 nm without surface cracking and low electrical resistivity (5.64 × 10⁻⁶ Ω cm) after applying an annealing process. Due to the deposition of nano-sized silver particles, the annealing temperature could be as low as 175 °C that is lower than the softening points of many transparent polymeric substrates used for fabrication of flexible conductive films.     

Synthesis and catalytic properties of novel POM@TiO2 composite materials

Donor–π-bridge–acceptor (D–π–A) type polyoxometalates (POMs) were self-assembled for the first time on the surface of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles through the layer-by-layer (LBL) method. The obtained composite materials POM@TiO₂ were characterized by Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform IR spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectrum and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. Catalytic properties of POM@TiO₂ were also investigated by treating organic pollutants (typically, removal of 40 mL 20 mg L^− 1 methylene blue (MB) by 10 mg POM@TiO₂ was up to 99.5% within 3 min under ambient conditions and the photodegradation efficiency was obviously higher than bare TiO₂ nanoparticles under irradiation).     

Preparation and optical properties of Sn- and Ga-doped indium oxide semiconductor nanoparticles

Indium tin oxide (ITO) nanoparticles and gallium-doped indium tin oxide (GITO) nanoparticles with various molar ratios of dopants were prepared by a solution method in oleylamine. Characterization of crystal, morphology, and optical properties was carried out using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis), photoluminescent (PL), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). XRD patterns show that with increasing of Sn, the crystal structure of ITO nanoparticles varies gradually from standard cubic bixbyite In₂O₃ to amorphous and to standard tetragonal SnO₂, whereas the GITO nanoparticles retain the crystal structure of ITO. The smallest particle size is around 10 nm, and the morphology of the particles is nearly spherical. The smallest particles, though coated with oleylamine, tend to aggregate forming larger flower-like particles. Defect level emission at the present of dopants was observed in the PL spectra of the ITO and GITO nanoparticles.     

Low voltage resistive memory devices based on graphene oxide–iron oxide hybrid

Low cost resistive switching memory devices using graphene oxide–iron oxide (GF) hybrid thin films, sandwiched between platinum (Pt) and indium-tin-oxide (ITO) electrodes, were demonstrated. The fabricated devices with Pt/GF/ITO structure exhibited reliable and reproducible bipolar resistive switching performance, with an ON/OFF current ratio of 5 × 10³, excellent retention time longer than 10⁵ s, SET voltage of 0.9 V, and good endurance properties. In all aspects of the device characteristics, the GF based devices outperformed graphene oxide (GO) based devices. Ohmic conduction was found to be dominant current conduction mechanism in all switching regions except for the high voltage regime where space charge limited conduction and trap charge limited conduction were found to be the main current conduction mechanism. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy/selected area diffraction analysis revealed γ-Fe₂O₃ and Fe₃O₄ iron oxide phases coexist in the hybrid films. While the desorption/adsorption of oxygen-related functional groups on the GO sheets is the dominant resistive switching mechanism in Pt/GO/ITO devices, the formation/rupture of multiple highly conducting Fe₃O₄ filaments at the iron oxide/GO interface additionally facilitate the switching in the present Pt/GF/ITO devices. Thereby, excellent electrical switching performance was achieved.     

Hydrogen-assisted pulsed KrF-laser irradiation for the in situ photoreduction of graphene oxide films

We report on the use of pulsed KrF-laser irradiation for the in situ reduction of graphene oxide (GO) films under both vacuum and partial hydrogen pressure. By exposing GO films to 500 pulses of a KrF-laser, at a fluence of 10 mJ/cm², their sheet resistance (R_s) is dramatically reduced from highly insulating (∼10¹⁰ Ω/sq) to conductive values of ∼3 kΩ/sq. By increasing the laser fluence, from 10 to 75 mJ/cm², we were able to identify an optimal fluence around 35 mJ/cm² that leads to highly conductive films with R_s values as low as 250 Ω/sq and 190 Ω/sq, under vacuum (10⁻⁵ Torr) and 50 mTorr of H₂, respectively. Raman spectroscopy analyses confirmed the effective reduction of the KrF-laser irradiated GO films through the progressive recovery of the characteristic 2D band of graphene. Furthermore, systematic Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis has revealed that KrF-laser induced reduction of GO preferentially occurs through photodissociation and removal of carboxyl (COOH) and alcohol (OH) groups. A direct correlation is established between the electrical resistance of photoreduced GO films and their COOH and OH bond densities. The KrF-laser induced reduction of GO films is found to be more efficient under H₂ background than under vacuum. It is concluded that our KrF-laser reduced GO films mainly consist of turbostratic graphite built from randomly organized few-layers-graphene building blocks, which contains some residual oxygen atoms and defects. Finally, by monitoring the KrF-laser fluence, it is shown that reduced GO films combining optical transmission as high as ∼80% along with sheet resistance as low as ∼500 Ω/sq can be achieved with this room-temperature and on-substrate process. This makes the laser-based reduction process developed here particularly attractive for photovoltaic hybrid devices using silicon substrates.     

Recognition of dimethoate carried by bi-layer electrodeposition of silver nanoparticles and imprinted poly-o-phenylenediamine

Thin film of a molecular imprinted polymer based on electropolymerization method with sensitive and selective binding sites for dimethoate was developed. This film was cast on gold electrode by electrochemical polymerization in solution of o-phenylenediamine and template dimethoate via cyclic voltammetry scans and further deposition of Ag nanoparticles. The surface plasmon resonance and cyclic voltammetric signals were also recorded simultaneously during the electropolymerization, controlling the thickness of the polymer film to be 25 nm. The imprinted film showed high selectivity towards to dimethoate. The recognition between the imprinted sensor and target molecule was observed by measuring the variation amperometric response of the oxidation–reduction probe, K₃Fe(CN)₆, on electrode. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the peak currents were proportional to the concentrations of dimethoate in two ranges, from 1.0 to 1000 ng mL^?1 and from 1.0 to 50 μg mL^?1, with the detection limit of 0.5 ng mL^?1. Due to the high affinity, selectivity and stability the imprinted sensor provides a simple detection platform for organophosphate compounds.     

Silver nanodendrite modified graphene rotating disk electrode for nonenzymatic hydrogen peroxide detection

Although silver nanostructures have been widely used for H₂O₂ detection, the development of silver based nanomaterials with higher performance toward H₂O₂ detection is still needed. In this work, metallic silver nanodendrite (AgND) modified reduced graphene oxide (rGO) electrode with open pore structure was prepared by an electrodeposition method and used for H₂O₂ detection. The rotating disk electrode (RDE) was used to study the convective diffusion effect of H₂O₂ to the electrode. The performance of the AgND/rGO electrode toward H₂O₂ detection significantly depends on the rotation rate of the electrode. At the rotation rates of 0 and 100 rpm, the as-fabricated electrode could not detect H₂O₂. At higher rotation rates, wide linear ranges of detected H₂O₂ concentrations with a determination coefficient R² of over 0.99 are found to be 1–100, 0.5–100, 0.1–100, and 0.05–30 mM at the electrode rotation rates of 500, 1000, 2000, and 6000 rpm, respectively. The LOD values determined at a signal-to-noise ratio of ca. 3 are about 100, 50, 30, and 10 μM at 500, 1000, 2000, and 6000 rpm, respectively. The as-fabricated electrode can detect diluted H₂O₂ in milk demonstrating its potential sensing application.     

Dispersion and microwave processing of nano-sized ITO powder for the fabrication of transparent conductive oxides

Aqueous dispersions of tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) nanopowder were prepared and the effect of the addition of PEG 400, Tween 80 and β-alanine as dispersants was investigated using zeta potential and particle size distribution measurements. Both PEG 400 and β-alanine were found to produce stable dispersions that were used to deposit ITO thin films on glass substrates by dip and spin coating methods. The ITO thin films were heat-treated using both conventional and microwave heat treatment in order to improve the inter-particle connections and hence the resistivity and transparency of the films. All the films exhibited an average transmittance of >80% over the visible spectrum after being subjected to the heat treatment process. ITO films prepared with no dispersant showed very high resistivity values for both heating methods, however addition of 2 wt% PEG 400 to the dispersion yielded a reduction in the resistivity values to 1.4×10⁻¹ Ω cm and 3.8×10⁻² Ω cm for conventionally and microwave treated films, respectively. The surface morphological studies confirmed that addition of dispersants improved the film uniformity and inter-particle connections of the ITO films considerably.