ZnO thin films electrodeposited in propylene carbonate under a magnetic field

Electrochemical processing of ZnO films on fluorine-doped indium tin oxide (FTO/ITO) substrate was investigated in organic propylene carbonate electrolyte solutions containing Zn(NO₃)₂·6H₂O. Much finer and more uniform morphologies of the ZnO films were obtained in comparison with those in aqueous electrolyte solutions. The effects of superimposing a magnetic field to the ZnO films were further examined. Superimposing a magnetic field considerably influenced the transient current density in the initial stage, especially in the mass transfer controlled region at −1.5 V vs Zn wire reference electrode. It also introduced substantially no drastic influence on the microstructure in spite of the appearance of considerably significant morphological variations. Contribution to special issue on Magnetic field effects in Electrochemistry.