Electrodeposition of inorganic compound thin films in the presence of certain organic molecules results in self‐assembly of various hybrid thin films with new properties. Examples of new discoveries by the authors are reviewed, taking cathodic formation of a ZnO/dye hybrid as the leading example. Hybridization of eosinY leads to the formation of highly oriented porous crystalline ZnO as the consequence of dye loading. The hybrid formation is a highly complicated process involving complex chemistry of many molecular and ionic constituents. However, electrochemical analyses of the relevant phenomena indicate the possibility of reaching a comprehensive understanding of the mechanism, giving us the chance to further develop them into industrial technologies. The porous crystals are ideal for photoelectrodes in dye‐sensitized solar cells. As the process also permits the use of non‐heat‐resistant substrates, the technology can be applied for the development of colorful and light‐weight plastic solar cells.

The process of electrodeposition of β‐PbO thin films from aqueous solutions of PbII salts has been studied in detail. Contrary to the mechanism assumed in previous studies, thin films of crystalline β‐PbO are obtained after cathodic electrolysis in aqueous solutions of various soluble salts of PbII (Pb(NO3)2, Pb(ClO4)2, and Pb(CH3COO)2), and in both the presence and the absence of O2, thus indicating no contribution of OH– generation by electroreduction of NO3– and/or O2 to the formation of β‐PbO. A gradual color change is noted: a freshly electrodeposited gray film turns yellow as it dries in air. Drying of the films under controlled atmosphere (Ar or O2), combined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) measurement, has revealed that freshly deposited films are of metallic Pb, which are oxidized and converted into β‐PbO. Such a reaction is operative only when a freshly electrodeposited activated wet Pb film is in contact with gaseous O2. Despite the rapid conversion of a solid material, the resultant β‐PbO thin films are highly crystallized and possess highly ordered internal nanostructure. Elongated nanoparticles (30 nm × 100 nm) are assembled in a regular alignment to compose a large platelet (greater than 10 μm in size) with single‐crystalline character, as revealed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observation and selected‐area electron diffraction (SAED) measurement.

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