CHEMISTRY AND MATERIAL SCIENCE

Features of Ce(IV) phosphate coatings formation on the silica surface during their synthesis by successive ionic layer deposition method

Yu. Chuvilo, L. I. Kuklo, V. P. Tolstoy

Institute of Chemistry, Saint Petersburg State University, University St. 26, St. Peterhof, Saint Petersburg, 198504, Russia

Abstract: The article presents the conditions for obtaining Ce(IV) phosphate coatings on the surface of silicon and quartz by the successive ionic layer deposition (SILD) method. It has been shown that when using solutions of (NH$_4$)$_4$Ce(SO$_4$)$_4$ and NaH$_2$PO$_4$ as reagents, coatings of the composition Ce(OH)PO$_4$ $\cdot$ $n$H$_2$O are formed on the surface of the substrates, and when using solutions of (NH$_4$)$_4$Ce(SO$_4$)$_4$ and Na$_3$PO$_4$, coatings of the composition Na$_{0.2}$Ce(OH)$_{2.4}$(PO$_4$)$_{0.6}$ $\cdot$ $n$H$_2$O are formed. These compounds have an amorphous structure. SEM analysis of Na$_{0.2}$Ce(OH)$_{2.4}$(PO$_4$)$_{0.6}$ $\cdot$ $n$H$_2$O on the silicon surface showed that for the samples obtained as a result of 15 SILD cycles, the planar isotropic coatings are rolled into microtubules with a microscroll morphology of 3–5 $\mu$m in diameter and 30–100 $\mu$m in length. The composition of the noted Ce(IV) phosphates can be relatively easily doped during the synthesis process, for example, with Fe(II) cations and tungstate anions. It was found that Ce(OH)PO$_4$ $\cdot$ $n$H$_2$O coatings are characterized by intense absorption band in the UV region of the spectrum, and can be used as components in various types of absorbers. Moreover, the degree of absorption can be controlled by varying the number of synthesis conditions, for example, the number of SILD cycles.

Keywords: Ce(IV) phosphates, coatings, SILD, UV shielding, microscrolls.

Received: 04.10.2025
Revised: 25.11.2025
Accepted: 30.11.2025

Language: English

DOI: 10.17586/2220-8054-2025-16-6-812-817