Cleaning Soda Lime Glass

Q: Our substrate is coated soda-lime glass. It is coated in indium tin oxide, and/or fluorinated tin oxide.  We are unable to remove salt/scale and would like to use detergent only and no volatile solvents.  What does Alconox Inc. recommend?

A:  For cleaning residues like indium tin oxide and fluorinated tin oxide from soda-lime glass, we would go with an acidic detergent as they are more effective on inorganics – What to choose: acid vs alkaline cleaner?

For the ultrasonic, we would go with warm 2-3% solutions of Citranox® Liquid Acid Cleaner and Detergent.    Manual soaking and/or scrubbing can also be done with this detergent.

For manufacturing line and processes requiring a low foaming detergent, Citrajet® Low-Foam Liquid Acid Cleaner/Rinse would be the answer.

Often times for optics and window industries, visual methods for residue detection can be sufficient.   However other residual measuring techniques are discussed here:  Cleaning and Monitoring Procedures

Do you have a critical cleaning question for the experts at Alconox Inc.?  Search TechNotes to see if it’s been answered before or Ask Alconox.

To request any Alconox Inc. detergents for free, please complete the questionnaire at Get Sample. For more information about any one of our Alconox Inc. detergents, consult the technical bulletin for each product. Or click here to access each of our detergent’s Safety Data Sheets

Featured TechNotes Products:

TechNotes Extra:

What is Soda-Lime Glass coated with indium tin oxide (ITO) or fluorinated tin oxide (FTO) used for?

Soda-lime glass coated with indium tin oxide (ITO) or fluorinated tin oxide (FTO) is used in a variety of applications due to its unique properties of high transparency and electrical conductivity. Here are some of the primary uses:

Applications of ITO Coated Soda-Lime Glass

1. Optoelectronic Devices:
   • Flat-Panel Displays: ITO coated glass is widely used in the production of LCDs, OLEDs, and other display technologies due to its excellent conductive and transparent properties[1].
   • Touch Screens: The conductive nature of ITO makes it ideal for use in touch screen technology[5].
2. Photovoltaics:
   • Solar Cells: ITO coated glass is used in various types of solar cells, including dye-sensitized and organic solar cells, as a transparent electrode material[5].
3. Smart Windows:
   • Energy Conservation: ITO coatings can be applied to glass windows to help conserve energy by controlling the amount of heat and light passing through[1].
4. Research and Development:
   • Microscope Slides: ITO coated glass slides are used in scientific research, particularly in electron microscopy, to allow for the viewing of specimens without charging them[3].
   • Cell Culture: These slides are also used as substrates for cell culture, providing detailed imaging of cellular structures[3].
5. Architectural Applications:
   • Supermarket Freezer Doors: ITO coated glass is used in the doors of supermarket freezers to prevent fogging and improve visibility[1].

Applications of FTO Coated Soda-Lime Glass

1. Solar Cells:
   • Thin-Film Solar Cells: FTO coated glass is commonly used in thin-film solar cells as a transparent conductive oxide layer, similar to ITO[1].
2. Electrochromic Devices:
   • Smart Windows: FTO coatings are also used in smart windows for their ability to change transparency in response to electrical signals, aiding in energy efficiency[1].
3. Sensors and Detectors:
   • Gas Sensors: FTO coated glass can be used in gas sensors due to its conductive properties and stability under various environmental conditions[1].

Both ITO and FTO coated soda-lime glass are integral to advancements in technology and energy efficiency, making them valuable in both industrial and research settings.

Citations:
[1] https://diamondcoatings.co.uk/ito-coated-glass/
[2] https://diamondcoatings.co.uk/ito-coated-glass-slides/
[3] https://itocoatings.com/why-do-you-need-indium-tin-oxide-coated-glass-slides/
[4] https://photonexport.com/online-store/soda-lime-glass-with-ito-coating/
[5] https://www.techinstro.com/ito-coated-glass/