Sol–gel processing of TeO2–TiO2–PbO thin films

TeO2–TiO2–PbO thin films were prepared by sol–gel processing from tellurium(IV) isopropoxide precursor and their transmittance spectrum was measured, from which the refractive index was calculated. The hydrolysis of tellurium(IV) isopropoxide and the decomposition process of its hydrolysis product were investigated. The discrepancy between the observed hydrolysis behavior of tellurium(IV) isopropoxide and the partial charge model on the reactivity of metal alkoxides toward hydrolysis, being calculated with the Pauling electronegativity, is explained by a combination of the inductive and steric effects of isopropoxide groups and the electronic configuration of the tellurium atom with lone pair electrons.