Polymerized solutions for depositing optical oxide coatings
First Claim
1. A clear stable solution which comprises:
- (A) alkoxide having the general formula M(OR)n where M is selected from the group consisting of 0 to 100% Ti, 0 to 25% Si, 0 to 100% Ta, and up to 15% of a metal ion which forms an alkoxide, R is alkyl from C1 to C6, and n is the valence of M;
(B) about 1.7 to about 4 moles of water per mole of alkoxide;
(C) sufficient alcohol to give a solids content of about 0.1 to about 15% by weight based on equivalent oxide; and
(D) a sufficient amount of a suitable acid to prevent cloudiness.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A clear solution is prepared by reacting metal alkoxide with a mixture of critical amounts of water and/or acid in an alcohol diluted medium. Alkoxides may be Ti(OR)4 or Ta(OR)5, or another metal alkoxide such as Si(OR)4 in admixture with these alkoxides. Acids may be HCl or HNO3. Quarter wave inorganic optical coatings are deposited by applying the alkoxide solution to a substrate then heating the coating at over 350° C. The coatings reduce reflectivity on silicon solar cells. The index of refraction of the coating can be varied by several techniques, including altering the proportion of titanium and silicon in the coating firing temperature, firing atmosphere. Thicknesses of the coating can be controlled by varying the rpm in spin application, withdrawal rate in dipping application, by concentration of the solution, by the type of solvent or the degree of polymerization of the titanium complexes.
-
Citations
29 Claims
-
1. A clear stable solution which comprises:
-
(A) alkoxide having the general formula M(OR)n where M is selected from the group consisting of 0 to 100% Ti, 0 to 25% Si, 0 to 100% Ta, and up to 15% of a metal ion which forms an alkoxide, R is alkyl from C1 to C6, and n is the valence of M; (B) about 1.7 to about 4 moles of water per mole of alkoxide; (C) sufficient alcohol to give a solids content of about 0.1 to about 15% by weight based on equivalent oxide; and (D) a sufficient amount of a suitable acid to prevent cloudiness. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A method of preparing a clear solution of a metal alkoxide comprising:
-
(A) adding sufficient alcohol to give a final solids content of about 0.1 to about 15% by weight based on equivalent oxide to either or both of; (1) alkoxide having the general formula M(OR)n where M is selected from the group consisting of 0 to 100% Ti, 0 to 30% Si, 0 to 100% Ta, and up to 15% of another metal ion which forms an alkoxide, R is alkyl from C1 to C6, and n is the valence of M; and (2) about 1.7 to about 4 moles of water per mole of alkoxide; (B) mixing together said alkoxide and said water; and (C) adding a sufficient amount of a suitable acid to prevent cloudiness. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
-
-
28. A clear stable solution which comprises:
-
(A) alkoxide having the general formula M(OR)n where at least 60% of M is selected from one of titanium and tantalum, up to 25% of M is silicon, and up to 15% of M is a metal which forms an alkoxide, each R is independently selected from C1 to C6, and n is the valence of each M; (B) about 1.7 to about 4 moles of water per mole of alkoxide; (C) sufficient alcohol to give a solids content of about 0.1 to about 15% by weight based on equivalent oxide; and (D) about 0.014 to about 0.2 moles of acid per mole of alkoxide.
-
-
29. A method of coating a substrate with a solid continuous layer of a metal oxide comprising:
-
(1) preparing a clear stable solution which comprises; (A) alkoxide having the general formula M(OR)n where at least 60% of M is selected from one of titanium and tantalum, up to 25% of M is silicon, and up to 15% of M is a metal which forms an alkoxide, each R is independently selected from C1 to C6, and n is the valence of each M; (B) about 1.7 to about 4 moles of water per mole of alkoxide; (C) sufficient alcohol to give a solids content of about 0.1 to about 15% by weight based on equivalent oxide; and (D) about 0.014 to about 0.2 moles of acid per mole of alkoxide. (2) applying said clear stable solution to said substrate; (3) heating said substrate to about 300°
to about 600°
C.
-
Specification