The Influence of Ag Addition and Different SiO<sub>2</sub> Precursors on the Structure of Silica Thin Films Synthesized by the Sol–Gel Method

In this work, the structure of silica thin films synthesized with three different SiO<sub>2</sub> precursors and obtained by the sol–gel method and dip coating technique was studied. Additionally, the influence of Ag addition on the obtained silica sols and then gel structure was investi...

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Main Authors: Anna Adamczyk, Tomasz Brylewski, Patryk Szymczak
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-09-01
Series:Molecules
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/29/19/4592
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author Anna Adamczyk
Tomasz Brylewski
Patryk Szymczak
author_facet Anna Adamczyk
Tomasz Brylewski
Patryk Szymczak
author_sort Anna Adamczyk
collection DOAJ
description In this work, the structure of silica thin films synthesized with three different SiO<sub>2</sub> precursors and obtained by the sol–gel method and dip coating technique was studied. Additionally, the influence of Ag addition on the obtained silica sols and then gel structure was investigated. Silica coatings show antireflective properties and high thermal resistance, as well as hydrophobic or hydrophilic properties. Three different silica precursors, TEOS (tetraethylorthosilicate), DDS (dimethyldietoxysilane) and Aerosil<sup>TM</sup>, were selected for the synthesis. DDS added to silica sol act as a pore size modifier, while Ag atoms are known for their antibacterial activity. Coatings were deposited on two different substrates: steel and titanium, dried and annealed at 500 °C in air (steel substrate) and in argon (titanium substrate). For all synthesized films, IR (infrared) spectroscopic studies were performed together with GID and XRD (Grazing Incidence Diffraction, X-ray Diffraction) measurements. The topography and morphology of the surface were traced by SEM and AFM microscopic methods, providing information on the samples’ roughness, particle sizes and thickness of the particular layers. The wetting angle values were also measured. GID and XRD measurements pointed to the distinct contribution of an amorphous phase in the samples, allowing us to recognize the crystalline phases and calculate the silver crystallite sizes. The FTIR spectra gave information on the first coordination sphere of the studied samples.
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spelling doaj-art-bd6b454511aa4af5bca907bfd24878c22025-08-20T02:16:54ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492024-09-012919459210.3390/molecules29194592The Influence of Ag Addition and Different SiO<sub>2</sub> Precursors on the Structure of Silica Thin Films Synthesized by the Sol–Gel MethodAnna Adamczyk0Tomasz Brylewski1Patryk Szymczak2Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, AGH University of Kraków, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Kraków, PolandFaculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, AGH University of Kraków, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Kraków, PolandFaculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, AGH University of Kraków, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Kraków, PolandIn this work, the structure of silica thin films synthesized with three different SiO<sub>2</sub> precursors and obtained by the sol–gel method and dip coating technique was studied. Additionally, the influence of Ag addition on the obtained silica sols and then gel structure was investigated. Silica coatings show antireflective properties and high thermal resistance, as well as hydrophobic or hydrophilic properties. Three different silica precursors, TEOS (tetraethylorthosilicate), DDS (dimethyldietoxysilane) and Aerosil<sup>TM</sup>, were selected for the synthesis. DDS added to silica sol act as a pore size modifier, while Ag atoms are known for their antibacterial activity. Coatings were deposited on two different substrates: steel and titanium, dried and annealed at 500 °C in air (steel substrate) and in argon (titanium substrate). For all synthesized films, IR (infrared) spectroscopic studies were performed together with GID and XRD (Grazing Incidence Diffraction, X-ray Diffraction) measurements. The topography and morphology of the surface were traced by SEM and AFM microscopic methods, providing information on the samples’ roughness, particle sizes and thickness of the particular layers. The wetting angle values were also measured. GID and XRD measurements pointed to the distinct contribution of an amorphous phase in the samples, allowing us to recognize the crystalline phases and calculate the silver crystallite sizes. The FTIR spectra gave information on the first coordination sphere of the studied samples.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/29/19/4592sol–gel methodsilica coatingsTEOSDDSIRSEM
spellingShingle Anna Adamczyk
Tomasz Brylewski
Patryk Szymczak
The Influence of Ag Addition and Different SiO<sub>2</sub> Precursors on the Structure of Silica Thin Films Synthesized by the Sol–Gel Method
Molecules
sol–gel method
silica coatings
TEOS
DDS
IR
SEM
title The Influence of Ag Addition and Different SiO<sub>2</sub> Precursors on the Structure of Silica Thin Films Synthesized by the Sol–Gel Method
title_full The Influence of Ag Addition and Different SiO<sub>2</sub> Precursors on the Structure of Silica Thin Films Synthesized by the Sol–Gel Method
title_fullStr The Influence of Ag Addition and Different SiO<sub>2</sub> Precursors on the Structure of Silica Thin Films Synthesized by the Sol–Gel Method
title_full_unstemmed The Influence of Ag Addition and Different SiO<sub>2</sub> Precursors on the Structure of Silica Thin Films Synthesized by the Sol–Gel Method
title_short The Influence of Ag Addition and Different SiO<sub>2</sub> Precursors on the Structure of Silica Thin Films Synthesized by the Sol–Gel Method
title_sort influence of ag addition and different sio sub 2 sub precursors on the structure of silica thin films synthesized by the sol gel method
topic sol–gel method
silica coatings
TEOS
DDS
IR
SEM
url https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/29/19/4592
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