Formation of sheets and coating films from alkoxide solutions

Abstract Fundamental problems in preparing thin sheets and coating films of oxides have been discussed on the basis of experiments made in the author's laboratory. It has been found that thin sheet formation is only possible with the starting solutions exhibiting spinnability in the course of hydrolysis and polymerization of the metal alkoxide. This requirement is satisfied by the formation of linear polymers in the solution. Coating films have been prepared by the dip-withdrawal technique. It has been found that coating films of 0.05–0.5 μm in thickness can be provided by one dip-coating run and repetition of the application leads to thicker coating films. The preparation of SiO2, BaTiO3 and transition metal oxide-SiO2 coating films has been discussed.