Vol. 38, Issue 1, pp. 171-179 (2008)

Abstract

In the case of electrically conducting layers prepared on a glass substrate, sodium diffuses into the SnO₂ film and deteriorates their electric properties. Sodium barrier diffusion properties of thin layers based on SiO₂, and SiO₂ modified by various contents of Al₂O₃, TiO₂, ZrO₂, CeO₂, prepared by sol–gel, have been the subject of this study. Morphology and optical properties of the coatings have been analyzed. XPS technique has been used to evaluate the barrier properties of prepared coatings by measuring sodium 1s peak changes after thermal treatment of the coating. The best properties have been obtained for the coating based on SiO₂–Al₂O₃ system and containing 0.08 mol of Al. It has been found that blocking properties of the coating are mainly connected with its microstructure. The role of added modifiers lies in changing the microstructure of formed gel.