Chemically deposited magnesium hydroxide thin film

Abstract

Here we report for the first time to the best of our knowledge the processing techniques, nucleation kinetics and the nanoindentation behaviour of a 1·5 μm magnesium hydroxide thin film chemically deposited on a commercially available soda lime silica glass substrate at room temperature. The phase and microstructure of the films were analysed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy as well as transmission electron microscopy. An exponential nucleation kinetics was identified for the growth of the thin films. The nanomechanical properties, e.g. nanohardness and Young's modulus of the films were measured by the nanoindentation technique at ultralow loads of 50, 70 and 100 μN. Finally, the nature of deformation of the thin film was analysed in terms of the energetics of the nanoindentation process and the microstructure.