Electrodeposition of Sol-Gel-Based Hybrid Films

Electrodeposition from sol-gel solutions containing two or more different sol-gel precursors yields hybrid films, as the sol-gel components hydrolyze and condense together forming a cross-linked structure. The hybrid films may be electrodeposited from precursors consisting of either two or more different silanes, or silane with titanium or zirconium alkoxides. 

Unlike the co-electrodeposition of different metals, cross-linking between different precursors makes it impossible to fidly separate the deposition of different components by adjusting electrochemical parameters such as potential. The kinetics of the co-electrodeposition process is very comphcated, although the ratio between different sol-gel precursors could be altered in a hmited range by changing deposition conditions. The manipulation of the deposition process for preparing sol-gel hybrid films remains a challenge. 

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