Synthesis and Microstructure Evolution of Nano-Titania Doped Silicon Coatings

This study investigates the in-flight synthesis of titania and its doping into a silicon matrix resulting in a catalyst dispersed coating. In the experiments, a liquid precursor of titanium isopropoxide and ethanol is fed into a plasma gun forming a stream of titania nanoparticles into which a silicon-aluminum powder mixture is injected. The influence of process parameters and aluminum alloying on the microstructure and phase composition of the titania-doped silicon coatings is analyzed and presented.