Low-Temperature Deposition of Nanocrystalline ZnO Phosphor Films from Neutral Ethanolic Zinc Acetate Solutions in the Absence of Base

Nanocrystalline ZnO phosphor films were prepared from an ethanolic solution of zinc acetate dihydrate on fluorine-doped tin oxide coated glass substrates through a chemical bath deposition at a low temperature of 60°C. Because the deposition was achieved without using a base such as NaOH or LiOH, the ZnO film prepared was chemically pure in terms of cation impurities. It was indicated that the deposition of ZnO proceeded through the formation and conversion of intermediate compounds such as layered hydroxide zinc acetate, Zn₅(OH)₈(CH₃COO)₂·2H ₂O. Green photoluminescence from the film was observed by ultraviolet excitation.