METAL-OXIDE CO AND CO-FE-CR FILMS DEPOSITED ON GLASS SUBSTRATES FROM A METAL-ORGANIC AEROSOL ATOMIZED BY MEANS OF ULTRASONIC EXCITATIONS

Thin films of metal oxides of Co and the Co-Fe-Cr system were deposite d on a commercial soda-lime-silica float gray glass from an aerosol ge nerated by ultrasonic excitation, using acetylacetonates as the source of the aerosol, Thermogravimetric (TG), derivative thermogravimetric (DTG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) studies performed prior to the film deposition revealed a principal difference between the the rmal decomposition of acetylacetonates and the nitrates used previousl y, influencing greatly the properties of the synthesised films. Deposi ted films were characterised by the measurement of their optical prope rties that are vital for privacy purposes (i.e., reflectance, transmit tance), and of their surface roughness and thickness measurements. Cry stallinity of films has been investigated and chemical durability test s have been performed, Results of these investigations are presented a nd the properties of films are compared with those obtained from films deposited previously from a nitrate aerosol generated either pneumati cally or by means of ultrasonic excitation. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.