Preparation of dye-adsorbing ZnO thin films by electroless deposition and their photoelectrochemical properties.

Dye-adsorbing ZnO thin films were prepared on ITO films by electroless deposition. The films were formed in an aqueous solution containing zinc nitrate, dimethylamine-borane, and eosin Y at 328 K. The film thickness was 1.2-2.0 μm. Thinner and larger-plane hexagonal columns were produced from the solution containing a higher concentration of eosin Y. A photocurrent was observed in the electrodes containing such ZnO films during light irradiation. The photoelectrochemical performance of the film was improved by increasing the concentration of eosin Y because of increases in the amount of absorbed photons and the electronic conductivity of ZnO.