Jul 5 2013
All the research work carried out on nanoparticles over the years have paved the way for their wide usage in numerous fields. This article discusses the properties and applications of indium oxide nanoparticles. Indium is a Block P, Period 5 element, while oxygen is a Block P, Period 2 element.
Indium oxide is an amphoteric oxide of indium. Indium oxide nanoparticles are graded as an irritant and could possibly causes skin and eye irritation, and allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled.
Chemical Properties
The chemical properties of indium oxide nanoparticles are outlined in the following table.
| Chemical Data |
| Chemical symbol |
In2O3 |
| CAS No. |
1312-43-3 |
| Group |
Indium 13
Oxygen 16 |
| Electronic configuration |
Indium [Kr] 4d10 5s2 5p1
Oxygen [He] 2s2 2p4 |
| Chemical Composition |
| Element |
Content (%) |
| Indium |
82.70 |
| Oxygen |
17.27 |
Physical Properties
The physical properties of indium oxide nanoparticles are given in the following table.
| Properties |
Metric |
Imperial |
| Density |
7.18 g/cm3 |
0.259 lb/in3 |
| Molar mass |
277.64 g/mol |
- |
Thermal Properties
The thermal properties of indium oxide nanoparticles are provided in the table below.
| Properties |
Metric |
Imperial |
| Melting point |
1913°C |
3475°F |
Manufacturing Process
Indium oxide nanoparticles can be synthesized by a basic chemical route using indium (III) nitrate. They are formed after calcining the dried precursor in air at 400°C (752°F) for 10 h. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman studies can be used to analyze the nanoparticles. The indium oxide nanoparticles formed using this method have single-phase cubic structure.
Applications
The key applications of indium oxide nanoparticles are as follows:
- Optical and antistatic coatings
- As a substitute for mercury as a battery inhibitor
- Forms a transparent conducting ceramic in combination with tin oxide
Source: AZoNano