posted on 2007-04-24, 00:00authored byY.-F. Gao, M. Nagai, W. S. Seo, K. Koumoto
We report a novel process for the preparation of dense, transparent TiO2 films of 2.5 μm thickness on a F-doped
SnO2-covered glass substrate. The starting solution contained peroxotitanate complex ions, which are relatively stable
under the experimental conditions, permitting the deposition of highly textured rutile nanocrystalline films. The
nanocrystals exhibit specific orientations along the (101) and (002) crystalline planes. Kinetic studies suggest that the
precipitation started from the formation of amorphous solids, followed by crystallization through a dissolution−recrystallization process. Although a minor phase of anatase was detected only for powders collected from solutions
after film preparation, not for films, the transformation from amorphous to anatase was believed to occur before further
transformation of anatase to rutile. The present method enables film synthesis on a surface with a large area, and
therefore could be integrated into the processing of electroluminescent devices.