Hyperfine characterization of tin-doped indium sesquioxide

The hyperfine interactions at In and Sn sites of In₂O₃Sn (ITO) were measured through time-differential perturbed angular correlations and Mössbauer spectroscopy, respectively. Polycrystalline samples prepared by co-precipitation with nominal 0.025, 1 and 5 at.% Sn were studied. They all showed the cubic bixbyite structure characteristic of In₂O₃ after annealings at 200 °C. The quadrupole interaction at In sites appears nearly independent of Sn concentration being the main result of the presence of Sn in the lattice, the gradual disappearence of the dynamic perturbation caused by after-effects. The Mössbauer data demonstrate that Sn ions are in a 4+ state with Q=0.60₆ mm/s and=0.22₆ mm/s relative to SnO₃Ca at room temperature.