Abstract:
The use of polyoxometalate clusters in aqueous solutions represents a promising method for the creation of thin films of metal oxides. This talk will briefly introduce the core principles of this methodology, known as prompt inorganic condensation, which can act as a platform technology for the creation of oxide layers for thin film devices. While this is a seemingly simple process, it is complicated by the complexity of ionic interactions with water upon dehydration. We will examine a case study of lithium hexaniobate salts for synthesizing high quality lithium niobate films. Using small angle X-Ray scattering it can be shown that the behavior of the [Nb6O19]8- cluster and [H2Nb6O19]6- behave significantly differently in solution. These differences carry over into the intermediate gel state and reactivity of the clusters upon annealing, which is monitored through in situ X-Ray total scattering.