Christopher Cordonier

Photocatalytic Activity of NaNbO3 Thin Films

NaNbO(3) thin films prepared by the sol-gel method had homogeneous microstructure with an average grain size of 15-25 nm and exhibited photoinduced hydrophilic conversion under UV irradiation. However, the films had little photocatalytic oxidation activity under UV irradiation. This is the first observation that NaNbO(3) undergoes photoinduced hydrophilicity under UV irradiation.

Preparation and characterization of self-cleaning glass for vehicle with niobia nanosheets.

Self-cleaning glasses were prepared by coating niobia nanosheets and investigated on the performance. The coated glass heated at >450 degrees C had very low turbidity, high hardness, and excellent adhesion properties. Niobia nanosheets ([Nb(3)O(8)](-)) reacted with sodium ions (Na(+)) diffused from the glass into the films to form a crystalline phase of NaNb(3)O(8) and this phase was converted to NaNbO(3) at >450 degrees C. The films exhibited photoinduced hydrophilicity under UV irradiation but low photocatalytic oxidation activity. Excellent self-cleaning ability of the niobia nanosheet coated glass was confirmed by the Taber abrasion test, which is thought to be a candidate as self-cleaning glasses for vehicles.

Photoacid generating ligands for development of positive-tone directly photopatternable metal complexes.

Photoacid generating ligands, 4-(2-nitrobenzy-loxycarbonyl)catechol and 4-(6-nitroveratryloxycarbonyl)catechol, and indium tin and titanium complexes thereof, were synthesized. These metal complexes perform as positive-tone, directly photopatternable indium tin oxide (ITO) or titanium oxide film precursors. After exposure, acid-bearing selectively soluble complexes could be removed to give patterned films upon developing in aqueous base, which were transformable to the corresponding pattern-preserving metal oxide film. Micropatterning of ITO and titanium oxide films was accomplished with the photoreactivity of the 2-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl (NBOC) and 6-nitroveratryloxycarbonyl (NVOC) moiety bearing ligands.

Metallic film formation using direct micropatterning with photoreactive metal complexes.

Palladium, cobalt, and nickel in complex with photoacid-generating ligands, 4-(2-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl)catechol and 4-(6-nitroveratryloxycarbonyl)catechol, were prepared in solution. Films formed from the metal complex solutions perform as positive-tone, directly photopatternable palladium, cobalt, nickel oxide, or composite film precursors. After exposure, acid-bearing selectively soluble complexes could be removed to give patterned films upon developing in aqueous base, which were transformable to the corresponding pattern-preserving metal/metal oxide film. The photodynamics of photoinduced solubility and direct micropatterning of palladium, cobalt, nickel, and palladium/nickel oxide composite films were investigated. Employing palladium as the initiator for autocatalytic chemical plating, selective direct copper plating on palladium film on polyethylene naphthalate and palladium/nickel oxide composite film on glass was accomplished.

Photocatalytic activity of NaNbO(3) thin films.

NaNbO(3) thin films prepared by the sol-gel method had homogeneous microstructure with an average grain size of 15-25 nm and exhibited photoinduced hydrophilic conversion under UV irradiation. However, the films had little photocatalytic oxidation activity under UV irradiation. This is the first observation that NaNbO(3) undergoes photoinduced hydrophilicity under UV irradiation.

Photocatalytic Activity of NaNbO3Thin Films

NaNbO(3) thin films prepared by the sol-gel method had homogeneous microstructure with an average grain size of 15-25 nm and exhibited photoinduced hydrophilic conversion under UV irradiation. However, the films had little photocatalytic oxidation activity under UV irradiation. This is the first observation that NaNbO(3) undergoes photoinduced hydrophilicity under UV irradiation.