Ceramics-Silikáty 48 (2) 66-71 (2004)

PROPERTIES OF SOL-GEL TiO₂ LAYERS ON GLASS SUBSTRATE

L. Rodriguez Paez, J. Matoušek

TiO₂ thin layers were prepared on glass substrate by sol-gel process and dip-coating technique. The coating solution was prepared by using tetra-n-butyl orthotitanate (C₁₆H₃₆O₄Ti) precursor. Very stable sols of this oxide were synthesized using the alcoxide in the presence of acetic acid and using acetyl acetone as a chelating agent. The layers obtained were transparent with good adhesion to the soda-lime glass substrate. The optical absorbance and thickness of the layers as a function of the number of coatings were determined and their surface microstructures was observed by SEM. Absorbance spectra showed an increased absorbance of the layers in the range of 280 - 300 nm. Nanocrystalline anatase particles were detected in the films prepared by heating at higher temperatures. The thickness of layers varied from 80 to 200 nm depending on the coatings number. Corrosion of the substrate covered by the film was followed in demineralised water and was found to be somewhat lower in comparison with the original uncovered glass surface.

Keywords: Sol-gel method, Surface layers, TiO₂ films on glass