BiVO4 thin film preparation by metalorganic decomposition

This paper describes the first obtention of BiVO4 thin films. These films were prepared with the Metalorganic Decomposition technique, starting from bismuth 2-ethyl-hexanoate and vanadium (IV) (oxy)acetylacetonate precursors. These compounds were dissolved in freshly distilled acetylacetone, dip-coated on common borosilicate glass substrates and pyrolysed at 400 degrees C. Film thickness ranged from 50 to 100 nm, depending on the number of deposition steps. Films are transparent, allowing the first obtention of UV-vis absorption spectra acquisition in transmission mode. Raman microprobe spectra confirmed the obtention of BiVO4 deposited as an homogeneous film. Scanning electron micrographs showed a continuous and porous surface. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.