Technical Insight
How ATO Particle Size, SEM, TEM/HRTEM and XRD Describe Different Material Features
Use laser diffraction, SEM, TEM/HRTEM and XRD as complementary, method-specific evidence when selecting and qualifying antimony tin oxide (ATO); none alone proves final coating performance.
Author: Aurexene Materials Engineering Team · Last updated: 2026-09-04
Quick Answer
ATO particle-size distribution, aggregate morphology, local nanoscale crystallite structure, and crystalline phase are separate evidence categories. Use the reported method and submitted sample for each claim; none alone proves coating conductivity, visible transmission, haze, NIR transmission, adhesion, durability, batch consistency, or commercial supply.
Why one test is not enough for ATO qualification
An engineering or procurement question can start with “What is the ATO particle size?” but the practical coating decision includes dispersion, agglomeration, film continuity, haze, visible transmission, color, NIR transmission, surface or volume resistance, adhesion, settling, redispersion, and aging. A single material test cannot cover that chain.
Use the four methods below as a characterization framework, then qualify the selected grade in the intended formulation and finished coating. The direct Aurexene-submitted records and affiliated-team background are intentionally separated.
Direct Aurexene-submitted evidence
Laser diffraction: dispersed particle-size distribution
The record reports D10 3.413 µm, D25 6.486 µm, D50 11.774 µm, D75 19.457 µm, D90 28.715 µm, D97 38.834 µm, D(3,2) 7.545 µm, D(4,3) 14.211 µm, span 2.149, specific surface area 795.201 m²/kg, analysis range 0.02–2000 µm, particle refractive index 1.59, and medium refractive index 1.33.
Boundary: These laser-diffraction results apply to the submitted ATO sample under the stated test conditions. They describe dispersed particle-size distribution for that measurement and do not represent every production batch, primary crystallite size, electrical conductivity, optical performance or finished-coating performance.
Third-party SEM: aggregate morphology
The independent laboratory report W25-1020-004 names Hunan Yuxinling New Materials Co., Ltd. / Aurexene Materials as submitter, with submission date 2025-10-20 and report date 2025-10-29. Its SEM fields at ×200, ×500, ×1,000, ×2,000, ×5,000, and ×10,000 show angular, aggregated secondary-particle morphology with rough surfaces and fine material. Local marked dimensions of about 17.6–54.4 µm belong to individual SEM fields, not a batch PSD.
Boundary: Third-party SEM characterization of an ATO sample submitted by Aurexene Materials showed angular, aggregated secondary particles across the examined fields. Local image measurements describe features within individual SEM fields and are not equivalent to a laser-diffraction particle-size distribution.
Affiliated-team technical background
Disclosure: Some characterization work was commissioned by Hunan Jingyi Aosi Technology Co., Ltd., an affiliated company of Aurexene Materials. The results apply only to the submitted samples and are presented as affiliated-team technical background. They do not establish Aurexene ownership of the testing laboratory, samples, manufacturing process, patent rights or resulting performance claims.
TEM/HRTEM: local nanoscale crystallites
Report W26-0421-009-001, dated 2026-04-29, was submitted by Hunan Jingyi Aosi Technology Co., Ltd. It contains samples labeled “英国 ATO” and “自产 ATO”; the former is referenced here only as a reference ATO sample as labeled by the submitter. TEM/HRTEM supports local observation of nanoscale crystallites within larger aggregates.
Boundary: The annotated 14.55 nm value is a local image observation, not a batch-average primary-particle specification.
XRD: crystalline phase identification
Report W26-0421-009 was submitted by Hunan Jingyi Aosi Technology Co., Ltd. on 2026-04-21 and dated 2026-04-23. It compares samples labeled “英国 ATO” and “自产 ATO” and identifies the cassiterite / SnO2 crystalline phase against PDF 70-4177. SEM comparison within that report is supplementary affiliated-team background, not a head-to-head performance claim.
Boundary: The report’s “Cassiterite 100.00%” is phase-identification output. It is not proof of 100% chemical purity, antimony concentration, exact elemental composition, conductivity, optical performance, process equivalence, product superiority, or final application performance.
Engineering validation checklist before commercial qualification
- Record grade, lot, particle distribution and incoming condition; then verify settling and redispersion in the actual dispersion medium.
- Measure visible transmission, haze, color and NIR transmission on the intended substrate at controlled dry thickness.
- Measure surface or volume resistance using a defined geometry, contacts, conditioning, and acceptance basis.
- Inspect film continuity and defects, then verify adhesion and retained response after the relevant aging plan.
- Keep formulation, loading, dispersion energy, cure, substrate, measurement method, repeats, and uncertainty attached to any decision.
Related product and next step
Review the ATO material profile, then discuss ATO grade selection and application validation. The discussion should start with the intended coating, performance targets, and validation method rather than assuming that a characterization image proves final performance.
FAQ
What does laser diffraction measure for ATO?
It measures a dispersed particle-size distribution for the submitted sample under the stated liquid, optical inputs, and instrument conditions. It does not provide primary crystallite size, conductivity, optical performance, or finished-coating performance.
Why can SEM and laser diffraction show different particle-size information?
SEM records selected local fields and may include dimensions of individual secondary particles or aggregates. Laser diffraction summarizes the scattering distribution of dispersed entities across the measured sample, so the methods are complementary rather than interchangeable.
What does TEM/HRTEM show in ATO aggregates?
It can show local nanoscale crystallites within an observed aggregate. The 14.55 nm annotation in the affiliated-team report is a local image observation, not a batch-average primary-particle specification.
What does XRD confirm for ATO?
The affiliated-team report identifies cassiterite SnO2 phase against PDF 70-4177 for its submitted samples; it does not prove chemical purity, antimony concentration, conductivity, or final application performance.
Does particle characterization prove coating conductivity or transparency?
No. PSD, microscopy, and phase identification are different evidence categories from finished-coating electrical and optical measurements.
Which ATO application tests should be completed before commercial qualification?
Complete visible transmission, haze, color, NIR transmission, surface or volume resistance, particle distribution, settling, redispersion, adhesion, film continuity, and aging tests under the intended grade, formulation, substrate, thickness, cure, and service conditions.
Need to apply this boundary to a grade, formulation, test method, or production route? Discuss it with the Aurexene Materials Engineering Team.