Abstract
Porous titanium dioxide thin films were prepared from alkoxide solutions with and without polyethylene glycol (PEG) by the sol-gel method on soda-lime glass. The effects of PEG addition to the precursor solution on the microstructure and roughness of the resultant thin films were investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). It was found that TiO2 films prepared from the precursor solution without PEG had granular microstructure and flat texture, and was composed of about 100 nm spherical particles. With an increase in the times of coating cycles, the roughness of films decreased and the size of TiO2 particles increased. On the other hand, the larger the amount and molecular weight of the added PEG in precursor solutions, the larger the diameter and the depth of pores in the resultant films on the decomposition of PEG during heat-treatment. The surface of the films was also rougher, and fewer pores were produced during heat-treatment. The mechanism of porous structure formation in the TiO2 films was explained using the principle of spinodal phase separation.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
A. Fujishima, T.N. Rao, and D.A. Tryk, J. Photochem. Photobiol. C: Photochem. Rev. 1, 1 (2000).
J.G. Yu, X.J. Zhao, and Q.N. Zhao, Thin Solid Films 379, 7 (2000).
Y.M. Gao, H.S. Shen, K. Dwight, and A. Word, Mater. Res. Bull. 27, 1023 (1992).
H. Kuster and J. Ebert, Thin Solid Films A 70, 43 (1980).
H.K. Pulker, Thin Film Science and Technology. Vol. 6 (Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1984).
B.O. Regan and M. Gratzel, Nature, 353, 737 (1991).
L. Kavan, K. Kratochvilova, and M. Gratzel, J. Electroanal. Chem. 394, 93 (1995).
H.M. Lin, C.H. Keng, and C.Y. Tung, Nanostructured Mater. 9, 747 (1997).
J.G. Yu, X.J. Zhao, J. Ch. Du, and W.M. Chen, J. Sol-Gel Sci. Tech. 17, 163 (2000).
S. Zhang, Y.F. Zhu, and D.E. Brodie, Thin Solid Films 213, 265 (1992).
K.L. Siefering and G.L. Griffin, J. Electrochem. Soc. 137, 1206 (1990).
A.P. Xagas, E. Androulaki, A. Hiskia, and P. Falaras, Thin Solid Films 357, 173 (1999).
L. Wicikowski, B. Kusz, L. Murawski, K. Szaniawska, and B. Susla, Vacuum 54, 221 (1999).
N. Negishi, K. Takeuchi, and T. Ibusuki, J. Mater. Sci. 33, 5789 (1998).
N. Negishi, K. Takeuchi, T. Ibusuki, and A.K. Datye, J. Mater. Sci. Lett. 18, 515 (1999).
M. Anast, A. Jamting, J.M. Bell, and B. Ben-Nissan, Thin Solid Films 253, 303 (1994).
K. Kato, A. Tsuzuki, Y. Torii, H. Taoda, T. Kato, and Y. Butsugan, J. Mater. Sci. 30, 837 (1995).
T.P. Niesen, M.R. De Guire, J. Bill, F. Aldinger, M. Ruhle, A. Fischer, F.C. Jentoft, and R. Schlogl, J. Mater. Res. 14, 2464 (1999).
J.G. Yu, X.J. Zhao, and Q.N. Zhao, J. Mater. Sci. Lett. 19, 1015 (2000).
M.P. Valkonen, S. Lindroos, T. Kanniainen, M. Leskela, R. Resch, G. Friedbacher, and M. Grasserbauer, J. Mater. Res. 13, 1688 (1998).
K. Nakanishi and N. Soga, J. Non-Cryst. Solids 139, 1 (1992).
K. Nakanishi and N. Soga, J. Non-Cryst. Solids 139, 14 (1992).
K. Nakanishi and N. Soga, J. Non-Cryst. Solids 142, 36 (1992).
K. Nakanishi and N. Soga, J. Non-Cryst. Solids 142, 45 (1992).
P.G. de Gennes, Scaling Concept in Polymer Physics (Cornell University Press. Ithaca, NY, 1979).
J.W. Cahn and R.J. Charles, Phys. Chem. Glasses 6, 181 (1965).
K. Kajihara, K. Nakanishi, K. Tanaka, K. Hirao, and N. Soga, J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 81, 2670 (1998).
S. Saeki, N. Kuwahara, M. Nakata, and M. Kaneko, Polymer 17, 685 (1976).
A. Kagemoto, S. Murakami, and R. Fujishiro, Macromol. Chem. 105, 154 (1967).
A. Kagemoto, Y. Itoi, Y. Baba, and R. Fujishiro, Macromol. Chem. 150, 255 (1971).
J.G. Yu, X.J. Zhao, Q.N. Zhao, and G. Wang, Mater. Chem. Phys. 68, 253 (2001).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Yu, J., Yu, J.C., Cheng, B. et al. Atomic Force Microscopic Studies of Porous TiO2 Thin Films Prepared by the Sol-Gel Method. Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology 24, 229–240 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1015384624389
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1015384624389