Thermoanalytical study of acetylacetonate-modified titanium(IV) isopropoxide as a precursor for TiO2 films

Thermal decomposition of dried TiO2 gel, obtained by hydrolysing acetylacetonate-modified titanium(IV) isopropoxide, was monitored by simultaneous TG/DTA/EGA-FTIR measurements in dynamic air up to 900DGC. XRD and FTIR were employed to identify the solid reaction products. Thermal degradation of the TiO2 gel consists of five distinct mass loss steps, the total mass loss being 43.8%. EGA by FTIR revealed the release of H2O below 120DGC; followed by acetone, isopropyl acetate and 1-propanol around 200-300DGC, and finally CO and CO2 up to 550DGC. Highly exothermic reaction at 410-550DGC is caused by the combustion of carbon residues. Crystalline TiO2-anatase is formed around 500DGC and TiO2-rutile close to 800DGC.