Excited state processes at sensitized nanocrystalline thin film semiconductor interfaces

The existing and potential technological importance of nanocrystalline semi conductor thin films sensitized to visible light by molecular chromophores have initiated considerable efforts toward understanding the detailed mecha nisms of photoprocesses occurring at the interface. However. such studies a re made difficult by the complex nature of kinetic processes observed follo wing light excitation. In this paper, we review literature reports of excit ed-state processes in these materials and attempt to clarify the underlying mechanisms responsible for the complex kinetic behavior typically observed . (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.