Fabrication of MgF2-SiO2 Nanocomposite Thin Films and Investigation of Their Optical and Hydrophobic Properties

In this research, MgF2-2%SiO2/MgF2 thin films were applied on a glass substrate. At first, MgF2 thin films with the optical thickness were deposited on the glass slide substrates. Then, MgF2-2%SiO2 thin films were deposited on the glass coated with MgF2 thin films. Finally, the nanocomposite thin films were surface treated by the PFTS solution. Characterization of the thin film was done by X-Ray defractometry (XRD), attenuated total reflectance fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), UV-Vis spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques. Also, the hydrophobic properties of the samples were investigated by measuring the contact angle of the water. The results showed that the deposition of the six layer MgF2 thin films on the two sides of the glass substrate increased the transmission up to 96.4%. For the glass deposited by MgF2-2%SiO2 nanocomposite thin films, transmission was reduced to 94.4%,   with its transmission being higher than the pure glass. Also, the water contact angle (WCA) analysis determined that the contact angle of the water droplet on the MgF2-2%SiO2 nanocomposite thin film coated glass was decreased. On the other hand, the contact angle of the water droplet on the MgF2-2%SiO2 nanocomposite thin film coated glass after modification with the PFTS solution was increased up to 119o. So, MgF2-2%SiO2 nanocomposite thin films could be used as an antireflective and self-cleaning coating on the surface of the optical devices.