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

A variety of porous optically transparent titanium carboxylate films t hat 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 th e quality of these films have been qualitatively correlated to the ext ent of control of hydrolysis exerted by carboxylate modification of th e precursor titanium(IV) isopropoxide. A series of carboxylic acids ra nging from acetic acid to myristic acid has been used, and their effec ts on film quality and stability are presented.