Solvothermal treatment of MgF2 coating solutions: A comparative study

MgF2 coating solutions were prepared by the fluorolytic processing of Mg(OEt)2 and MgCl2. Parts of these sols are solvothermally treated in an autoclave at 160 °C. The two respective precursors were used to prepare porous λ/4 antireflective films by dip-coating on soda-lime and borosilicate glass substrates. UV–Vis spectroscopy and X-Ray diffraction (XRD) were applied to characterize the films as a function of annealing temperature. Samples treated at 500 °C underwent testing of abrasion resistance and water solubility.