Project R-4172

Study of sol(ution)-gel precursors towards lowtemperature oxide films (Research)

Low-temperature processing of metal oxide films is currently considered a hot topic within materials science as research groups are developing and studying several chemical precursor systems to achieve this. Nevertheless, the development of a general precursor concept allowing low-temperature multi-metal crystalline oxide film formation is still challenging. However, as current research is heading towards the integration of metal oxides onto flexible, thermally unstable plastic substrates, a profound understanding of oxide film formation becomes indispensable since current temperature treatments have to be further reduced to meet future needs. The proposed project will contribute to a fundamental understanding of the crystalline oxide film formation process at low-temperature, starting from solution combustion synthesis (SCS) compatible precursors. Parameters influencing the thermodynamic and kinetic behavior of precursor decomposition will be identified and optimized. Films of these precursors will then be deposited and the thermo-kinetic behavior of the amorphous to crystalline film conversion studied. The challenges that will be focused on are the understanding of the precursor decomposition pathways and their parameters, as well as the oxide formation processes. To this end, selfcombusting precursors for functional oxide materials (electrode materials, semiconductors, ferroelectrics, ...) are first developed and then studied with appropriate analysis techniques and methods.

01 October 2012 - 30 September 2015