Índio: Uma Visão Científica E Tecnológica De Um Metal Estratégico

Abstract

Indium have been widely investigated by scientists because of its several interesting properties and its use in different applications in the manufacture of TVs screens, computers, cell phones, solar panels, electroluminescent diodes (LEDs), organic electroluminescent diodes (OLEDs), DNA and antibody sensors, electrocatalysts, architectural glass coatings, low melting alloys, thermal interface materials, aircraft engine bearings, among others. The economic urge to make devices more cost effective and efficient has guide developments in different deposition technologies, such as dip-coating, plating, thick and thin film deposition. However, indium is classified as a critical metal. In this sense, we discussed the economic viability and spatial distribution of the indium resources in Brazil and worldwide considering that its supply still remains a concern. On top of that, the present review discusses the scientific and technological aspects of indium materials and highlights the major advances regarding their synthesis, properties and applications.

Circular economy of ITO thin films deposited on glass obtained from degraded OLED devices

“…• Carried out by oxygen vacancies in the In oxide structure, donating up to two free electrons to form the In 2 O 3-x structures 23,24 ; • Carried out by random substituting of In 3+ ions to Sn 4+ , donating one electron to the electrical conduction layer 25,26 . After these two mechanisms, the ITO increases its carrier concentration, respectively, from 10 13 to 10 17 cm -3 and from 10 19 to 10 21 cm - 3 22,23,27 , a characteristic of semiconductor materials.…”

“…Then, the circular economy of this material is fundamental, contributing to the decrease of the production cost of TCOs and also of the waste produced worldwide. Nowadays, the recycling method is responsible for 60% of the In produced around the world, where the main material is the ITO present in LCDs 25 . Many countries have carried out ITO recycling, such as: China, Japan and South Korea 25 .…”

“…Nowadays, the recycling method is responsible for 60% of the In produced around the world, where the main material is the ITO present in LCDs 25 . Many countries have carried out ITO recycling, such as: China, Japan and South Korea 25 .…”