The study of structure and surface morphology of lithium titanate sol–gel derived thin films

In this paper the structure and the surface morphology of lithium titanate (LTO) thin films are presented. Nanocrystalline thin films were prepared by sol–gel method. To examine the influence of the annealing time on as-prepared films crystallization, the coatings were heated at different temperatures in the range of 500 °C–600 °C for 10, 20, 40 and 80 h. The structure of the obtained material was investigated using the X-ray diffraction (XRD) method, while the surface was studied with scanning electron microscope (SEM). Additionally contact angle measurements were performed according to the sessile drop method. A significant influence of annealing time on formation of crystalline phase was shown by XRD measurements. Correlation between heating time and grain sizes was noticed. On SEM images high homogeneity of prepared films was observed.

► Lithium titanate thin films were deposited by sol–gel method. ► Influence of manufacturing parameters on structure and surface morphology was investigated. ► After annealing samples had lithium titanate spinel structure. ► The best thermal and time conditions for pure LTO phase, seems to be 550 °C and 20 h.