Surface morphology control of zirconia thin films prepared using novel photochromic molecules

A new photochromic ZrO2 precursor solution was prepared using zirconium tetra-n-butoxide, 4-(phenylazo)benzoic acid and ethyleneglycol monomethylether. The density functional theory (DFT) calculation has identified that the structure of the synthesized precursor molecule changed by UV irradiation. Four types of thin films were prepared using the ZrO2 precursor solution with and without UV irradiation and applying an electric field. It was found that the surface morphology of thin films changed by applying UV irradiation to the precursor solution and an electric field.