The use of chemical solution routes to form inorganic thin films is a relatively new method which represents an alternative to vapor phase routes. The present study involves the use of a chemical solution route, the decomposition of metal carboxylates, to prepare bismuth thin films of controlled porosity. Such morphologies offer the opportunity to disrupt phonon transport without greatly affecting electrical conductivity and bismuth represents a well known system in which to investigate these effects. {orous bismuth thin films have been prepared using bismuth 2-ethylhexanoate (Bi[OOCCH(C_2H_5)C_4H_9]_3) as the precursor in a solvent of 2-methyl-1-propanol. The solution is deposited on glass, Kapton, silicon, alumina or magnesia substrates by spin coating and heated to between 250-300 deg C in hydrogen. heat treatment temperature and time are important for controlling film mcrostructure as both pore volume (25 to 50
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