Titanium(IV) acetylacetonate xerogels for processing titania films

Thermal decomposition of dried crystalline powder obtained from titanium(IV) bis(acetylacetonate) diisopropoxide (75% solution in 2-propanol) ( 1 ) was monitored by simultaneous TG/DTA, EGA-FTIR and EGA-MS measurements and the results were compared with those of amorphous powder obtained by gelling of acetylacetonate-modified titanium(IV) tetra-isopropoxide at molar ratio of 1:2 in boiling 2-methoxyethanol ( 2 ). Thermal degradation of 1 in the temperature range of 25–700°C consists of 5 steps with a total mass loss of 62.5%. EGA by FTIR and MS revealed the release of H 2 O below 120°C; followed by an intensive evolution of acetylacetone around 245°C. The release of acetone and acetic acid occurs up to 270°C and that of CO and CO 2 up to 530°C.