Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: Advancing thin film research with nanostructured AZO: Innovnano’s unique and cost-effective AZO sputtering targets for the production of transparent conducting oxides

Home > Press > Advancing thin film research with nanostructured AZO: Innovnano’s unique and cost-effective AZO sputtering targets for the production of transparent conducting oxides

Abstract:
Innovnano (www.innovnano-materials.com), an expert manufacturer of high performance ceramic powders, has developed a range of nanostructured AZO (aluminium-doped zinc oxide) specifically for the production of high density sputtering targets. These AZO sputtering targets provide researchers with a highly optimised and cost-effective tool for the development of next generation transparent conducting oxide (TCO) thin films, applicable to numerous research areas ranging from solar cells to conducting glass. Innovnano's AZO sputtering targets have high electrical conductivity, enhanced mechanical and thermal properties and improved target lifetimes, ideally designed to aid researchers in advancing thin film research.

Advancing thin film research with nanostructured AZO: Innovnano’s unique and cost-effective AZO sputtering targets for the production of transparent conducting oxides

Coimbra, Portugal | Posted on October 23rd, 2014

Innovnano's unique AZO powders are manufactured using the company's patented Emulsion Detonation Synthesis (EDS) technology to yield an ultrafine nanostructure, ideal in the production of sputtering targets for the deposition of thin films. The nanostructure of the AZO powder provides a higher surface area, offering increased reactivity and supporting the production of high density sputtering targets at lower sintering temperatures, causing minimal grain growth. Small grain sizes, in combination with the homogeneous microstructure of the AZO targets, are responsible for greatly enhanced mechanical strength, as well as improved plasma stability for uniform thin film deposition.

Optimised grain sizes also deliver a balance between mechanical and thermal properties that enables uniform heat dispersion, resulting in longer target lifetimes and increased cost efficiency. Importantly, Innovnano's AZO sputtering targets require decreased sputtering times leading to lower production costs, while at the same time offering improved quality. Commenting on their trials of Innovnano's research grade sputter targets at Loughborough University, Patrick Isherwood, a researcher at the CREST Laboratory commented, "These AZO targets are without doubt the easiest to use of any AZO target we've worked with and consistently produce top quality thin films".

With a range of uses including electronic displays, touchscreen panels, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and photovoltaic cells, TCOs produced by AZO deposition have an extensive array of research applications, spanning a range of sectors. Depending on the end application, Innovnano's AZO sputtering targets are available with aluminium contents between 0.5 and 2 wt. %, designed to optimise specific properties towards the particular high performance thin film end product.

João Colado, Head of Special Projects at Innovnano explains: "At Innovnano, it is our aim to provide nanostructured materials of the highest quality to fulfil and optimise end product requirements, improving on current technologies of choice. Our AZO sputtering targets are leading the way in the thin film research field, providing an enhanced and more cost-effective alternative for TCO generation than the current metal oxide of choice, indium tin oxide (ITO)."

####

About Innovnano
Innovnano - a subsidiary of CUF, one of the largest chemical companies in Europe - is a specialist manufacturer of industrial scale quantities of high quality nanostructured zirconia-based powders and aluminium zinc oxide sputter coating targets. With a new, purpose-built production centre, built on a modular design, Innovnano can scale-up production to 1000 tpa to meet the rapidly growing demands of industries taking advantage of high performance materials.

For more information, please click here

Contacts:
Product Enquiries
Sales & Marketing
Paul Newbatt
Sales and Marketing Director
t: +351 210 058 621

Media enquiries
Alto Marketing Limited
Kelly Hooper
Account Coordinator
t: +44 (0)1489 557672

Twitter: @AltoMarketing
www.alto-marketing.com