Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 February 2011
Vanadium oxide deposited in thin layers from aqueous colloidal dispersions exhibits electronic conductivity by a small polaron hopping conduction mechanism. Conductivity and static dissipative properties of coatings are unaffected by changes in humidity. Because vanadium oxide is highly colored, the deposition of effective antistatic coatings which are transparent and colorless requires that the percolative (networking forming) properties of the colloidal particles be maximized. The percolative properties of the colloid are strongly influenced by morphology of the dispersed particles and the extent to which they are well dispersed in the aquasol. These properties are determined by the synthetic route to the colloid. Vanadium oxide is the most potent antistatic agent known and has been found to provide antistatic properties even when as little as 1 milligram per square meter is used.