Photocatalytic activation of TiO₂-functionalized anodic aluminium oxide for electroless copper deposition

Abstract

We demonstrate conductive copper layer patterning of a TiO2-functionalized anodic aluminium oxide (AAO), by means of Cu electroless deposition (Cu-ELD). 4 µm thick AAO layers were obtained by anodization of...

Optically Transparent TiO2 and ZnO Photocatalytic Thin Films via Salicylate-Based Sol Formulations

“…Catechols, such SA, possess a strong affinity towards MeOx surfaces, including TiO2, with the possibility of forming bridging structures [59] even with the available -COOH groups when in the H2Ti[SA]3 complex. Consequently, when overcoated on the previously deposited TiO2 surface, the Ti-sol may have a lower surface tension, facilitating a highly conformal coating, akin to the observations for alumina surfaces using a salicylate-based Ti-sol in our previous publication [37]. Conversely, ZnO is known for low stability in acidic environments and in the presence of strong ligands [63].…”

“…Additionally, the photocatalytic activity of the ZnO layers was not explored. In the case of TiO2, the sole available demonstration of SA-stabilized deposition sol is found in the previous work of this paper's author [37], where a SA-based TTIP sol with a 1:3 TTIP:SA molar ratio proved suitable for a highly-conformal TiO2-functionalization coating on a high-aspect ratio anodic alumina substrate [36], and the selection of SA as the stabilizing agent stemmed from its affinity to the alumina surface. Hence, in the present study, the deposition of photocatalytic thin films of TiO2 and ZnO from novel SA-based sol formulations, governed by Ti [SA] and Zn[SA] complexation stoichiometry of 1:3 and 1:2, respectively, is thoroughly investigated.…”