Pulsed electrodeposition of porous ZnO on Ag-coated polyamide filaments

Silver-coated polyamide filaments were used as substrates for the electrodeposition of ZnO/eosinY hybrid thin films from aqueous mixed solutions containing Zn(NO(3))(2) and eosinY. Electrodeposition under pulsed potentiostatic control turned out advantageous to control the conditions of mass flow and to suppress parasitic currents and thereby obtain homogeneous porous films of ZnO as proven by scanning electron microscopy. Crystalline films of ZnO were formed as shown by X-ray diffraction. Diffuse optical reflectance spectra revealed the successful processing of the dye content of the porous ZnO coatings on the textile substrates. Photovoltage measurements served to proof sensitization of the textile based ZnO films.