Investigation of the morphology of films based on sodium silicate by atomic-force microscopy

The characteristic features of the surface morphology of the films prepared by alkaline hydrolysis of silica are investigated using atomic-force microscopy. It is shown that the surface morphology of the films is influenced by the concentration of initial solutions and the modes of dehydration that are responsible for the processes of aggregation of nanoparticles, which affects the ratio between the amorphous and crystalline phases on the surface of the coating