We report the synthesis of transparent colloidal suspensions of small zinc oxide particles in water, 2-propanol, and acetonitrile. Quantum (Q)-size effects are observed during particle growth and qualitatively interpreted by using a simple molecular orbital (MO) picture. The particles at the final stage of growth are approximately spherical in shape and consist of 2000-3000 ZnO molecules. They exhibit many of the photophysical properties of bulk zinc oxide. However, pronounced shifts in the absorption spectrum during the illumination of anoxic suspensions of ZnO reveal a distinctively different behavior of these small particles. Fluorescence spectra of the ZnO sols suggest that adsorbed electron relays are necessary to shuttle electrons from the conduction band into lower lying traps. Two fluorescence maxima are observed at the final growth stage of the ZnO particles. The bandgap fluorescence at 365 nm has an extremely short lifetime (r < 100 ps), while the visible luminescence at 520 nm exhibits a slower biexponential decay (i.e., r = 14 and 190 ns). The latter fluorescence is attributed to photogenerated electrons tunneling to preexisting, trapped holes. The low overall fluorescence quantum yield of = 0.03 measured in these zinc oxide suspensions is indicative of radiationless transitions accompanying the emissions. A pronounced pH dependence of the Stern-Volmer constants obtained with various ionic substances, that effectively quench the 520-nm emission, is explained by specific adsorption to the charged particle surface. The zero point of charge (pHzpc) of the aqueous colloidal suspension was determined to be 9.3 ± 0.2 by several independent methods.

The syntheses of transparent colloidal solutions of extremely small titanium dioxide particles (d < 3 nm) in water, ethanol, 2-propanol, and acetonitrile are presented. Quantum-size effects are observed during particle growth and at the final stages of synthesis. They are quantitatively interpreted by using a quantum mechanical model developed by Brus. The particles prepared in aqueous solution possess the anatase structure and consist of about 200 Ti02 molecules at their final growth stage. The colloidal particles can be isolated from solution as white powders that are soluble in water and ethanol with no apparent change in their properties. In organic solvents the quantum-size Ti02 particles appear to form with rutile structure. Excess negative charge on the particles resulting either from deprotonated surface hydroxyl groups or from photogenerated or externally injected charge carriers causes a blue shift in the electronic absorption spectrum, which is explained by an electrostatic model. Electrons can be trapped in the solid as a Ti3+ species, which has a characteristic visible absorption spectrum. As much as 10% of the available Ti4+ ions can be reduced photochemically in the solid with a quantum yield of 3%. Molecular oxygen reoxidizes the Ti3+ centers, leading to detectable amounts of surface-bound peroxides. The pH of zero point of charge (pHzpc) of the aqueous colloidal suspension has been determined to be 5.1 ± 0.2. The acid-catalyzed dissolution of the aqueous colloid yielding Ti(IV) oligomers has been studied, and an activation energy £a = 58 ± 4 kJ/mol has been measured for this reaction. The photocatalytic activity of the small Ti02 particles is demonstrated.

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The yield of hydrogen peroxide in the sonication of argon-saturated water was studied in the presence of various solutes. The efficiency of OH radical scavenging is expressed by the reciprocal value of C 1/2, the solute concentration at which the H2O2 yield is decreased by 50 per cent. C 1/2 ranges over several orders of magnitude. It is not related to the specific reactivity towards OH in homogeneous solution. However, it is correlated to the hydrophobicity of the solutes. The competition of I- and a second solute for OH was also studied. The competition between I- and HCO2- follows similar kinetics as in homogeneous solution. However, many other solutes compete in the manner which would be expected if radical scavenging occurred in different phases. The effects are explained in terms of OH radical formation in gaseous argon bubbles, combination of OH radicals to form H2O2 in an interfacial area, and enrichment of hydrophobic solutes in the bubbles.