Excited state processes at sensitized nanocrystalline thin film semiconductor interfaces

The existing and potential technological importance of nanocrystalline semiconductor thin films sensitized to visible light by molecular chromophores have initiated considerable efforts toward understanding the detailed mechanisms of photoprocesses occurring at the interface. However. such studies are made difficult by the complex nature of kinetic processes observed following light excitation. In this paper, we review literature reports of excited-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.