Colloidal TiO2 nanocrystals/MEH-PPV nanocomposites: photo(electro)chemical study.
An extensive optical and photoelectrochemical study of blended systems composed of organic-capped TiO(2) nanocrystals with either a spherical or rodlike morphology and a conjugated polymer, MEH-PPV, is presented. The absorption and emission properties of the heterojunctions have been characterized both in solution and in thin films. The blended structures deposited onto conductive substrates have been employed as active layers in photoelectrochemical systems. The investigation has been focused on the photoinduced charge transfer and recombination processes at the interface between the two components, as a function of the nanocrystal shape and surface coating, and of the film thickness. The presence of a large number of interfaces available for charge transfer is believed to play a fundamental role in enhancing the photoelectrochemical performances of the dispersed heterojunctions. The reported results suggest that such MEH-PPV/TiO(2) heterojunctions may be exploited as potential active layers in future photovoltaic and photoelectrochemical devices.
Petrella
Andrea
A
Dipartimento di Chimica, Università di Bari, via Orabona 4, I-70126 Bari, Italy.
Tamborra
Michela
M
Curri
M Lucia
ML
Cosma
Pinalysa
P
Striccoli
Marinella
M
Cozzoli
P Davide
PD
Agostiano
Angela
A
D003102:Colloids / Q000737:chemistry*; D004563:Electrochemistry; D015394:Molecular Structure; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D010777:Photochemistry; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry*; D014753:Vinyl Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*
D003102:Colloids; D011108:Polymers; D014753:Vinyl Compounds; C520682:poly(2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethylhexyloxy)-p-phenylenevinylene); C009495:titanium dioxide; D014025:Titanium