Reaction of tetra(tert-butoxy)tin or -zirconium with hydroxylated titanium in ultrahigh vacuum: Contrasting reactivity with hydroxylated aluminum substrate

Surface processing of structural metals with organometallics may provide a route for the preparation of new composites with desirable properties. The organometallic chemical vapor deposition reactions of tetra(tertbutoxy)tin or -zirconium with hydroxylated titanium in ultrahigh vacuum were compared with hydroxylated aluminum substrate. The aluminum surface reacts more readily with water to give a hydroxylated surface than does titanium. Indeed, although titanium metal is easily oxidized, water can either adsorb molecularly or can dissociate on the surface, depending on the presence of Lewis acid surface sites.