Synthesis of Al-Cr/glass films by self ion-assisted deposition and investigation of their properties

Microstructure and wettability of Al-1.0 at. % Cr alloy films deposited on glass by self-ion assisted deposition method have been investigated by atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and sessile drop method. The microdroplet fraction of deposited alloy was found on the sample surface, the average fraction size varies from 0.2 μm to 1.9 μm depending on processing conditions. All of the Al-Cr alloy films possess hydrophilic properties. The mechanism of heterogeneous wetting regime for Al-Cr films is discussed concerning the fact that an increase of film surface roughness results in a decrease of the degree of film hydrophilicity. (authors)