Sol-gel derived oxide thin films: Processing and applications
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sol-gel derived materials have been in development at Sandia National Laboratories since 1979. Sol-gel processing involves the controlled reaction of inorganic or metal organic precursors which can be manipulated to control the type and extent of inorganic polymer growth and the resultant glass microstructure. Sol-gel techniques are used to prepare bulk materials, fibers, composites, inorganic particles, and especially thin oxide films which may be deposited onto glass, ceramics, metals or plastic by a variety of deposition methods. These coatings are particularly useful for applications where substrate or compositional limitations preclude the use of conventional glass technology. The film microstructure can be varied greatly by precise control of conditions during sol preparation and deposition, or by post-deposition processing. The ability to control chemical composition and microstructure (pore volume, pore size, surface area) of sol-gel thin films has naturally led to a host of applications as protective, planarizing, optical, and controlled porosity coatings. Specific Sandia applications in several areas will be reviewed; however, the unique structures, microstructures, and compositions that can be made by sol-gel methods naturally lead to a wide variety of potential applications.
- OSTI ID:
- 126228
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-950402--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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