Applied Surface Science, Vol.169, 452-456, 2001
Aging effect of SiO2 xerogel film on its microstructure and dielectric properties
The properties of porous SiO2 xerogel film strongly depend on the aging process. The morphology of the surface modified SiO2 xerogel film pre-aged for 1 hr at 70 degreesC showed a two-dimensional structure. Aging for 12 h at 70 degreesC and successive modification of the film induced some particle growth and a three-dimensional network structure. The microstructure of the modified SiO2 xerogel films reflects the preformed structure during aging. The surface modification induced the changes of surface coverage from -OC2H5 and -OH bonds to -CH3. However the content of surface chemical species was almost same regardless of aging lime. The porosity of the modified sample pre-aged for 12 h at 70 degreesC was 89%. The calculated/measured dielectric constants were 1.31/1.42, respectively