(ZnO)3In2O3 fine powder prepared by combustion reaction of nitrates-glycine mixture

Conducting fine powder was obtained in the ZnInO system by combustion of the gel prepared from an aqueous solution of mixed zinc and indium nitrates in the presence of glycine. Glycine worked as a fuel as well as a gelling agent in the combustion under the strong oxidizing power of the nitrates. In spite of the low furnace temperature of 350 °C, the product was (ZnO)₃In₂O₃ which has been obtained above 1260 °C in a solid state reaction of a mixture of ZnO and In₂O₃. The combustion synthesis led to an aggregated fine powder of hexagonal platelets of about 40 nm in diameter. Its compacted mass showed an electrical resistivity of about 700 Ω cm. The agglomeration was improved by dispersing the fine powder in an acetic acid aqueous solution.