Transparent thin films of Bi2WO6, Bi4Ti3O12 and Sr0.75Ba0.25Nb2O6

Transparent thin films were prepared by a sol–gel method starting from precursor formation in solution, subsequent spin coating followed by a heating ramp up to a maximum of 700 °C. Starting from a Bi2MoO6 synthesis route, the phase formation and thin film processing of the bismuth containing materials Bi2WO6, Bi3Ti4O12 and additionally of the tungsten–bronze structure Sr0.75Ba0.25Nb2O6 were studied. Spin coating was used to adjust the film thickness in a wide range from 6 to 200 nm. All films were obtained as multicrystalline pure phases according to X-ray diffraction analyses. Scanning electron micrographs revealed homogeneous coatings composed of nanoparticles with a crystallite size varying between 20 and 100 nm, furthermore the UV–VIS spectra demonstrated a high transparency of the films, 80–90% at 600 nm.

Graphical abstractA new sol–gel approach for the preparation of highly conformal nanostructured thin films is reported for a family of complex oxides with a high degree of transparency (80–90%).Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide