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Generating porosity in metal oxides thin films through introduction of polymer micelles

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Abstract

The generation of porosity in Nb2O5 sol–gel films through introduction of polymer micelles of commercially available copolymer Pluronic PE6800 [poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(propylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene glycol)] was studied using direct observation of film morphology by Transmission Electron Microscopy and indirect calculations of free volume fraction by optical means. Mesoporous Nb2O5 films were deposited by the sol–gel and spin-coating methods and templated with aqueous solutions of Pluronic PE6800 with concentrations below and above critical micelle concentration determined by the modified dye solubilization method. The influence of the duration of the postdeposition annealing on total pore volumes was investigated by reflectance measurements and consequent calculation of optical properties and free volume fraction by Bruggeman effective medium theory. The possible application of the films in optical sensing of vapors has been demonstrated through reflectance measurements prior to and after acetone vapors exposure.

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Acknowledgements

The financial support of Bulgarian National Science Fund (BNSF) under the Project DCOST 01/15 and Project DFNP-17-97/28.07.2017 of the Program for career development of young scientists in BAS is highly appreciated. T. Babeva and D. Christova would like to acknowledge Bulgarian National Science Fund (BNSF) under project DN08/15 for partial financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Optical Materials and Technologies “Academician Jordan Malinowski”, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., Bl. 109, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria

    R. Georgiev, B. Georgieva, M. Vasileva & T. Babeva

  2. Institute of Polymers, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str. bl. 103-A, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria

    D. Christova & L. Todorova

Authors
  1. R. Georgiev
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  2. D. Christova
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  3. L. Todorova
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  4. B. Georgieva
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  5. M. Vasileva
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  6. T. Babeva
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to R. Georgiev.

Additional information

This article is part of the Topical Collection on Focus on Optics and Bio-photonics, Photonica 2017.

Guest Edited by Jelena Radovanovic, Aleksandar Krmpot, Marina Lekic, Trevor Benson, Mauro Pereira, Marian Marciniak.

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Georgiev, R., Christova, D., Todorova, L. et al. Generating porosity in metal oxides thin films through introduction of polymer micelles. Opt Quant Electron 50, 156 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11082-018-1422-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11082-018-1422-3

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