Indiumtinoksidi

Indiumtinoksidi, often abbreviated as ITO, is a solid solution of indium(III) oxide and tin(IV) oxide. It is a transparent conductive material, meaning it can conduct electricity while also allowing visible light to pass through. This unique combination of properties makes ITO a crucial component in many modern electronic devices. The typical composition of ITO is around 90% indium oxide and 10% tin oxide. This specific ratio is important for achieving optimal electrical conductivity and optical transparency.

ITO is predominantly used as a transparent electrode in various applications. These include liquid crystal displays (LCDs), organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), touchscreens, solar cells, and smart windows. In these devices, ITO serves as the conductive layer that allows electrical signals to be applied or extracted while remaining invisible to the user. The manufacturing process of ITO typically involves sputtering, where a thin film of ITO is deposited onto a substrate under vacuum conditions. The properties of the ITO film, such as its conductivity and transparency, can be finely tuned by adjusting deposition parameters. While widely used, ITO faces challenges related to the cost and scarcity of indium. Research is ongoing to find alternative transparent conductive materials with similar or improved performance, but ITO remains the industry standard for many applications due to its well-established performance characteristics.