Nanoreactors or nanoscale stablizers: routes for solution processed indium tin oxide nanoparticles by reverse micelle deposition

The production of nanoparticles from solution typically involves the use of complex solution additives or particle functionalization with organic ligands to prevent aggregation. Another approach would be to produce the particles within a nanoscale environment, such as inside a micelle. In this contribution, we produced indium tin oxide nanoparticles using the diblock copolymer reverse micelle approach. We examined different solution precursor routes without any additives. Additionally, we examined the role of the reaction sequence, either nanoparticle formation outside the micelles or using the micelle itself as a nanoreactor. (author)