Abstract
The hydrolysis of niobium pentaethoxide precursor in the presence of triethylamine (TEA) is discussed. Three precursors with TEA/Nb(OEt)5 mole ratios of 0.25, 0.4 and 0.8 were prepared. Niobia colloids with different appearance were obtained after autoclaving the above precursors at 250°C during 12 h. The surface roughness and microstructure of niobia films prepared with the colloids by spread coating method are strongly dependent on the TEA/Nb(OEt)5 mole ratio. At a value of 0.4 TEA/Nb(OEt)5 mole ratio, a niobia film with large surface roughness can be achieved. It is opaque and mechanically stable and has differently ordered needle microstructure. The crystalline structure and photoelectrochemical property of niobia film with the largest surface roughness were examined. The effect of CO2 gas bubbling, reflux and addition of 2-methoxyethanol on the hydrolysis of Nb(OEt)5 and the nature of the Nb2O5 films is also discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Y. Xi, H. Mckinstry, and L.E. Cross, J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 66, 637 (1983).
M.A.B. Gomes, L.O.S. Bulhoes, S.C. de Castro, and A.J. Damiao, J. Electrochem. Soc. 137, 3067 (1990).
R.C. Faria and L.O.S. Bulhoes, J. Electrochem. Soc. 141, L29-L30 (1994).
Jih-Mirn Jehng and I.E. Wachs, Catalysis Today 8, 37 (1990).
S. Yoshida, Y. Nishimura, T. Tanaka, H. Kanai, and T. Funabiki, Catalysis Today 8, 67 (1990).
S. Parraud, L.G. Hubert-Pfalzgrat, and H.G. Floch, J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 75, 2289 (1992).
C.O. Avellaneda, M.A. Macedo, A.O. Florentino, D.A. Barros Filho, and M.A. Aegerter, SPIE 2288, 422 (1994).
S. Sakka, J. Non-Cryst. Solids 100, 1 (1988).
N.P. Bansal, J. Mater. Sci. 29, 4481 (1994).
C. Alquier, M.T. Vandenborre, and M. Henry, J. Non-Cryst. Solids 79, 383 (1986).
S.M. Maurer and E.I. Ko, J. Catalysis 135, 125 (1992).
P. Griesmar, G. Papin, C. Sanchez, and J. Livage, Chem. Mater. 3, 335 (1991).
G.W. Scherer and C.J. Brinker, Sol-Gel Science, the Physics and Chemistry of Sol-gel Processing (Academic Press, Boston 1990).
H.D. Gesser and P.C. Goswami, Chem. Rev. 89, 765 (1989).
J. Fuchs, K.F. Jahr, and G. Heller, Chem. Ber. 96, 2472 (1963).
Ji-pin Zhong and D.E. Clark, J. Non-Cryst. Solids 160, 247 (1993).
E.I. Ko and J.G. Weissman, Catalysis Today 8, 27 (1990).
Lili Hu, M. Wolf, and M. Grätzel, submitted to Chem. Mater.
B. O'Regan and M. Grätzel, Nature 353, 737 (1991).
M.K. Nazeeruddin, A. Kay, I. Rodicio, R. Humphry-Baker, E. Müller, P. Liska, N. Vlachopoulos, and M. Grätzel, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 115, 6382 (1993).
O. Enea, J. Moser, and M. Grätzel, J. Electroanal. Chem. 259, 59 (1989).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hu, L., Wolf, M., Grätzel, M. et al. Synthesis and properties of niobia films derived from niobium pentaethoxide. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 5, 219–226 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00487019
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00487019