Journal of Physical Chemistry, Vol.100, No.13, 5481-5484, 1996
Photoelectrochemical Properties of Poly(3-Alkylthiophene) Films in Aqueous-Solution
The photoelectrochemical properties of pi-conjugated poly(3-hexylthiophene) films in aqueous solution are presented. Application of potential biases more negative than +0.3 V (SCE) to the polymer film immersed in an aqueous electrolyte gives rise to a depletion layer at the polymer/solution interface. Photoexcitation of the polymer leads to photoreduction of water. The photovoltage observed is linearly related to pH of the solution in accordance with the variation in redox potentials of the H+/H-2 couple, indicating the absence of Fermi level pinning. Quantum efficiencies are dependent on the pH of the solution, irradiation power, excitation wavelength, and film thickness. The capture cross section of irradiation was varied by controlling the film thickness. With an irradiation wavelength of 435 nm, >90% of the incident light was absorbed within the first 280 nm. Using this wavelength of incident light, quantum efficiencies reached a maximum for 220 nm thick films. Quantum efficiencies decreased with increasing incident power.
Keywords:THIN-FILM;CONDUCTING POLYMERS;POLYTHIOPHENE;POLY(3-METHYLTHIOPHENE);DEVICES;POLY(3-HEXYLTHIOPHENE);BUCKMINSTERFULLERENE;CONVERSION;GENERATION;ABSORPTION