Synthesis of mixed-phase titania films by low-temperature ultrasonic spray pyrolysis

• Published in: Materials letters Vol. 64; no. 12; pp. 1365 - 1368
• Main Authors: Nakaruk, A., Kavei, G., Sorrell, C.C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 30.06.2010
• Subjects: Anatase; Deposition; Glancing angle X-ray diffraction; Grain size; Insulation; Microstructure; Rutile; Spray pyrolysis; Thin film; Titanium dioxide; Topography; Ultrasonic spray pyrolysis; Ultrasonic spray pyrolysis; Glancing angle X-ray diffraction; Titanium dioxide; Thin film
• ISSN: 0167-577X; 1873-4979
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2010.03.016

Fully dense TiO 2 films with (1) mixed-phase rutile and anatase and (2) anatase (sole phase) were deposited on fused quartz substrates by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis at nominally 400 °C. The presence and absence of insulation around the entrainment pathway traversing 20 cm above the substrate/hot plate were investigated (174 °C vs 122 °C). The thick films were assessed in terms of mineralogies (qualitative and quantitative), microstructures (topography, thickness and grain size), and visible light transmission (optical and microstructural considerations). With insulation, opaque mixed anatase (∼ 30 vol.%; < 50 nm) and rutile (∼ 70 vol.%; ∼ 1 μm) were observed; without insulation, only transparent anatase (< 50 nm) was observed.