Y. Kotani et al., Formation of anatase nanocrystals in sol-gel derived TiO2-SiO2 thin films with hot water treatment, J SOL-GEL S, 19(1-3), 2000, pp. 585-588
We have successfully prepared transparent and porous anatase nanocrystals-d
ispersed films by treating the sol-gel derived TiO2-SiO2 films containing p
oly(ethylene glycol), PEG, with hot water. This process was done at tempera
tures lower than 100 degreesC under atmospheric pressure, and thus anatase
nanocrystals-dispersed films can be formed on various kinds of substrates i
ncluding organic polymers with poor heat resistance. The changes in structu
re and composition of the TiO2-SiO2 gel films with hot water treatment were
related to the formation process of anatase nanocrystals in the TiO2-SiO2
gel films with hot water treatment. The formation of anatase nanocrystals w
as found to proceed to hydrolysis of Si-O-Ti bonds and dissolution of SiO2
component. In addition, porous film structure formed by leaching of PEG wit
h hot water treatment led to homogenous dispersion of anatase nonocrystals
in the films.