Electrothermal performance of CNTs/ATO composite film.

The precursor solution of antimony doped tin oxide (ATO) thin film was prepared by sol-gel method using SnCl 4 ·5H 2 O and SbCl 3 as raw materials and anhydrous ethanol as solvent. Then modified carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were added to the precursor solution to form stable precursor suspension. CNTs/ATO composite films were deposited on clean quartz glass by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis method. The films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, four-probe tester and thermal testing equipment. The results show that CNTs/ATO composite films can be successfully prepared by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis. The composite films still remained the SnO 2 tetragonal rutile structure. After modification, CNTs were dispersed evenly in the ATO precursor solution and the prepared films were more uniform than films prepared with unmodified CNTs. The lowest square resistance of modified CNTs/ATO film reached 32 Ω/□ and the highest heating temperature reached 362 °C at dry temperature under 220 V. • A novel composite electrothermal film combined with ATO and CNTs by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis method. • The addition of modified CNTs enhanced conductivity and heating temperature of films. • According to the SEM and TEM, CNTs were uniformly distributed throughout the films. • A reasonable explanation for this structure is presented based on the microstructural evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]