Fabrication of TiO₂ Transparent Thin Film from Halogen-Free Aqueous Titanate Solution

Abstract

Aqueous titanate solution (TNB-Lac) was prepared by reaction of titanium alkoxide (titanium tetra-n-butoxide) with lactic acid (Lac) in water. TNB-Lac shows polyanion-like behavior and is free from hazardous halogen, nitrogen, sulfur, and metal ions other than titanium. The thin TiO₂ films were formed by adsorption of negatively-charged titanate colloidal nanoparticles on the surface of the glass substrate charged positively by polyethylenimine (PEI). The thin TiO₂ films were characterized by SEM, EDX and XRD.