Spin Coating TiO2: Effects of pH & Alcohol Type

[venus]

Hi everyone!
I'm doing some research on spin coating, my precursor is TiCl4 and I mix it with ethanol, but I have cracks on my films, can anyone help me?
The reaction is:
Ticl4+ ethanol ---> TiO2 + HCl +...
What effects does the pH and the type of alcohol used have? How can I change the viscosity ? Can anyone tell me what happens chemically in this reaction?

 

[Astronuc]

Is it a Ti-based substrate which you are coating? What is the temperature and pressure of the process?

Surface tension (wettability) of the solution could be a factor. Have you looked at what other people have done regarding chemical deposition of TiO₂ films.

The reaction is:
Ticl4+ ethanol ---> TiO2 + HCl +...

What is the water content of the ethanol? One might be getting TiCl₄ + 2 H₂O -> TiO₂ + 4 HCl and perhaps there are some intermediates that interfere with the precipitation process and hence the cracking.