The influence of “small molecules” on properties of TiO2 films prepared by sol–gel method

Abstract The sol–gel method was used for preparation of TiO 2 sols without and with the addition of “small molecules” — acetylacetone and acetic acid. The TiO 2 films were made by dip-coating method in different time intervals after preparation of sols. Properties of film surface, such as morphology, rms-roughness and adhesion force were studied using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The contact angle of water and diiodomethane was measured for identification of polar and dispersion component of the surface free energy (SFE). From the obtained results, it can be seen that “small molecules” influence the morphology of films. During the first days after the sol preparation, there is the increase of roughness of films prepared from sols with “small molecules” but with the increasing time, the roughness decreases. There is no crystallization of films with acetylacetone. For films prepared from sols with acetylacetone, the polar component of SFE is lower than in the case of films prepared from sols without “small molecules” and with acetic acid. The “small molecules” decrease the stiffness and adhesion force mainly for films prepared several days after sol preparation. This influence is the result of complex effect of “small molecules” on processes occurring during preparation of films, from hydrolysis reaction over process of particle growth to thermal treatment.