Transparent conducting, anti-static and anti-static–anti-glare coatings on plastic substrates

In2O3:Sn (ITO) sols made of crystalline nanoparticles, fully redispersable in an ethanol solution containing hydrolyzed organosilanes, have been developed to deposit conducting transparent and anti-glare coatings on plastic (PMMA, polycarbonate) and glass substrates by spin, dip and spray coating processes. The coatings are cured by UV irradiation and/or by a low temperature heat treatment (T=130°C) in air or reducing atmosphere. The electrical, optical, textural and mechanical properties of the coatings are reported. A stable sheet resistance as low as 5 kΩ□, was obtained with a single 500-nm thick transparent layer. Anti-glare–anti-static coatings exhibiting a 40-kΩ□ sheet resistance, a gloss of 60–70 GU, a clarity of 75–90% and an optical resolution >8 lines/mm were obtained by a room temperature spraying process. The abrasion resistance of both coatings is in agreement with DIN 58196-H25-class 1.