SPECTROELECTROCHEMICAL INVESTIGATIONS OF NANOCRYSTALLINE ZNO FILMS

Transparent nanocrystalline ZnO films were prepared from colloidal ZnO solutions containing particles of different sizes. The colloidal solu tion as well as the films exhibit size quantization effects. The absor ption and stationary and time resolved fluorescence of the films as we ll as the photocurrent strongly depend on the applied potential. The e lectrochemical and spectroscopic investigations allow direct measureme nt of the quantum mechanical confinement energy for electrons in the n anocrystalline particles of the films. The optical properties and the charge carrier transport through the films are explained by a model in volving electronic levels of the individual particles.