Synthesis and characterisation of polygonal indium tin oxide nanocrystals

Polygon ITO (Sn-doped In₂O₃) nanocrystals were synthesised via electrospinning, and their morphology, structural properties, and chemical composition were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). To determine the optimum conditions for the fabrication of polygon ITO nanocrystals, calcination temperature after the electrospinning process was controlled at 500 °C, 600 °C, 700 °C, and 800 °C, and the amount of PVP polymer was controlled at 4 wt%, 7 wt%, and 10 wt%. For comparison purposes, single In₂O₃ nanocrystals were also synthesised via electrospinning and calcination. The results show that ITO nanocrystals fabricated at a calcination temperature of 800 °C and with 10 wt% of PVP polymer exhibit clear polygon structure with singlecrystallinity, which may be explained in terms of the effect of Sn doping in the In₂O₃ matrix and the oriented aggregation and Oswald ripening growth during the fusion process of ITO nanocrystals.