Nanostructured copper oxide thin films (CuO) were prepared on conducting glass support (SnO₂: F overlayer) via sol–gel starting from colloidal solution of copper (II) acetate in ethanol. Films were obtained by dip coating under room conditions (temperature, 25–32°C) and were subsequently sintered in air at different temperatures (400–650°C). The evolution of oxide coatings under thermal treatment was studied by glancing incidence X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Average particle size, resistivity and band gap energy were also determined. Photoelectrochemical properties of thin films and their suitability for splitting of water were investigated. Study suggests that thin films of CuO sintered at lower temperatures (≈ 400°C) are better for photoconversion than thick films or the films sintered at much higher temperatures. Plausible explanations have been provided.

Nanostructured zinc oxide thin films (ZnO) were prepared on conducting glass support (SnO₂: F overlayer) via sol–gel starting from colloidal solution of zinc acetate 2-hydrate in ethanol and 2-methoxy ethanol. Films were obtained by spin coating at 1500 rpm under room conditions (temperature, 28–35°C) and were subsequently sintered in air at three different temperatures (400, 500 and 600°C). The evolution of oxide coatings under thermal treatment was studied by glancing incidence X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Average particle size, resistivity and bandgap energy were also determined. Photoelectrochemical properties of thin films and their suitability for splitting of water were investigated. Study suggests that thin films of ZnO, sintered at 600°C are better for photoconversion than the films sintered at 400 or 500°C. Plausible explanations have been provided.