APPLICATION OF CONTROLLED HYDROLYSIS OF TITANIUM(IV) ISOPROPOXIDE TO PRODUCE SOL GEL-DERIVED THIN-FILMS

A variety of porous optically transparent titanium carboxylate films that can be supported on silicate glass substrates have been developed. These films were made by spin casting polymeric solutions of titanium carboxylates processed using sol-gel techniques. The stability and the quality of these films have been qualitatively correlated to the extent of control of hydrolysis exerted by carboxylate modification of the precursor titanium(IV) isopropoxide. A series of carboxylic acids ranging from acetic acid to myristic acid has been used, and their effects on film quality and stability are presented.