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Ferroelectric Pb(ZrTi)O₃ (PZT) nanotubes were prepared by sol–gel method and porous anodic alumina (PAA) membrane using spin-coating technique. This method is based on filling-pyrolysis-filling process and the use of one-stage alumina membranes. One of the advantages of this method is its rapidity, which takes only 1 h time before the calcination step. The effect of repeated pores filling was investigated to get the required size of nanotubes. The field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) images were shown that the PZT nanotubes have inner diameters in the range of 65–90 nm and length of about 50–60 $\mu$m. This means that the samples have a significant aspect ratio (700–800). Also the FE-SEM image confirmed that the highly ordered, hexagonally distributed PAA membranes with the pore diameter about 140–150 nm were formed. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) results showed that the PZT nanotubes have a tetragonal structure. The metal oxide bands like ZrO₆ and TiO₆ of the final PZT nanotubes were detected by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis and confirmed the formation of perovskite structure. By using FT-IR spectroscopy and Kramers–Kronig transformation method, the optical constants like real ${𝜀}_1$($\omega$) and imaginary ${𝜀}_2$($\omega$) parts of dielectric function, extinction coefficient k($\omega$) and refractive index n($\omega$) were determined. It was shown that the optical constants of PZT nanotubes are different from PZT nanoparticles.

ZnO and Zn_1-xMg_xO thin films were prepared on glass and silicon substrates by spin coating method using 2-methoxyethanol solution of zinc acetate dihydrate and magnesium acetate dihydrate stabilized by monoethanolamine. The effects of drying and annealing condition of structural and optical properties of the films were studied. It was found that the samples annealed at 650°C improves the crystallographic orientation of the ZnO films grown by the sol-gel process significantly. Two types of substrates were used to examine the substrate effects of the growth of Zn_1-xMg_xO thin films. In corning glass substrates, the lattice constant decreased by a little with increasing concentration of Mg, whereas in the case of silicon substrates, the lattice constant decreased rapidly with x when compared to the glass substrates. The optical band energy gaps of Zn_1-xMg_xO thin films were slightly increased with increasing concentration of Mg.

We report successful retention of the spectroscopic properties of Chlorophyll-a molecules encapsulated in carboxymethyl cellulose acting as an "artificial membrane" material. Films were prepared on indium tin oxide substrates utilizing the spin-coating technique at different concentrations of carboxymethyl cellulose aqueous solution. Results show that the native state of the encapsulated Chlorophyll-a molecules were retained for extended periods of time enhanced further by the optimum concentration effect. Investigations also revealed that the molecules exist in nanocrystal forms with crystal size of 10 nm regardless of the carboxymethyl cellulose concentrations and can be further optimized by varying the spin rates. Chlorophyll-a molecules were found well dispersed in the carboxymethyl cellulose films suggesting the suitability of the gel-like polymer solution as a dispersion agent. It was therefore obvious that the encapsulation of Chlorophyll-a molecules by carboxymethyl cellulose provides prolonged retention of its photoactivity highlighting extended usage when incorporated into future device applications.