Composition and morphology of thin transparent films obtained from sols based on TiN(IV) compounds

The results of a comparative study of the composition and structure of thin films formed from film-forming sol-gel compositions based on SnCl4/EtOH/H2O and SnCl4/EtOH/H2O/NH4ОН precursors are presented. The features of the morphology and distribution of Sn, N and Cl atoms over the surface of the films were analyzed, as well as the transparency of the films depending on the amount of ammonium hydroxide introduced into the sol-gel composition. Possible chemical processes and reaction products underlying film formation and crystallization of film surfaces are considered. It was shown that the size and shape of the resulting skeletal crystals depend on the amount of ammonium hydroxide introduced into the sol-gel system. Formation of SnO2 crystals and crystals containing NH4Cl was studied in the films at the nano- and micro scales by using optical and electron microscopy and X-ray phase analysis. The new data obtained make it possible to control the morphology and composition of the synthesized thin films by changing the ratio of sol-gel synthesis precursors.