Ceramics-Silikáty 52 (2) 72-76 (2008)

PREPARATION OF SILVER DOPED SILICA SOL-GEL LAYERS

M. Novotný, J. Matoušek

Homogenous silicate layers containing silver nanoparticles were prepared by the sol-gel method and deposited on the glass substrate by the dip-coating technique. The sol consisted of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTS), aminopropyltriethoxysilane (ATEOS), ethanol (EtOH), silver nitrate (AgNO₃), nitric acid (HNO₃) and demineralised water. The optimal ratio of components and conditions in relation to the quality and the homogeneity of the layers were established. The prepared layers were homogenous; with electron microscopy, a fine texture without silver particles was observed. Samples treated at temperatures up to 250°C and above 500°C were yellow, between 300 and 450°C were colourless. The co-loration intensity increased with the treatment time. The immersion time of the substrate in the sol had no influence on the samples coloration. On the contrary, the increasing pull-up speed intensified the layers coloration. The optical quality of prepared layers deteriorated significantly above the pulling speed of 90 mm/min.

Keywords: Sol-gel method, Surface layers, Silica - silver films on glass