Thermoanalytical study of the decomposition of yttrium trifluoroacetate thin films

We present the use of the thermal analysis techniques to study yttrium trifluoroacetate thin films decomposition.In situ analysis was done by means of thermogravimetry, differential thermal analysis, and evolved gas analysis.Solid residues at different stages and the final product have been characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy.The thermal decomposition of yttrium trifluoroacetate thin films results in the formation of yttria and presents the same succession of intermediates than powder's decomposition, however, yttria and all intermediates but YF3 appear at significantly lower temperatures.We also observe a dependence on the water partial pressure that was not observed in the decomposition of yttrium trifluoroacetate powders.Finally, a dependence on the substrate chemical composition is discernedThis work was partially funded by the Spanish Programa Nacional de Materiales through projects MAT2011-28874-C02-01 and MAT2011-28874-C02-02, by the Consolider program Nanoselect, CSD2007-00041, EU project EUROTAPES NMP3-LA-2012-280432 and by the Generalitat de Catalunya contract nos. 2009SGR-185 and 2009SGR-77