Preparation of single-layer antireflective SiO2 coating with broadband transmittance using PEG-modified sol–gel method

Abstract

Adding polyethylene glycol (PEG) with different molecular weights, a usual acid-catalyzed sol–gel was modified to prepare single-layer antireflective SiO2 coatings with high and broadband transmittance and relatively better hardness. The test results of atomic force microscope and field emission scanning electron microscope show that the addition of PEG significantly affects the porosity and surface morphology of the coating layer. Due to the addition of PEG, the surface of the coatings presents groove-like and their porosity is increased, both of which contribute to the increase in transmittance. In the case of same PEG mass, PEG4000 modified coating has higher porosity and higher transmittance than PEG1000 modified one. In the present paper, the reflectance of samples for both sides was tested by ultraviolet–visible–near-infrared spectrophotometer (LAMBDA 950). The best coating’s reflectance can be decreased below 5 % from 460 to 1,740 nm. The transmittance peak value of the substrate is 90.6 % and its average value is 90.0 %, while the peak value of the best coating can reach up to 99.4 % and its average value is 95.5 % which increased by 5.5 % from wavelength of 325 to 1,000 nm. Hardness measurements show that the coatings have relatively better hardness.