SiO2-TiO2 hybrid coatings applied on polymeric materials for flexible photonics applications

For the development of flexible photonic devices, polymeric substrates are of capital importance due to their low cost and mechanical flexibility. However, they are sensitive to the environment's influence on their durability. To overcome problems of polymeric substrates' stability, we developed organically modified hybrid silica-titania coated PET (polyethylene terephthalate) films. The focus was put on the determination of the optical properties' changes in dependence on the synthesis and materials processing parameters. Thanks to the application of the coatings, a protection effect on substrate and improvement in the transparency in comparison to the uncoated heat-treated polymeric material, was obtained.