Abstract
Particles of TiO2 modified with poly 3-(2-thienyl) aniline (PThA) and occluded in poly 2,2 bithiophene (PBTh), were subjected to optical, electrochemical impedance spectroscopic (EIS) and photoelectrochemical (PEC) investigation in aqueous, acetate, citrate, and phosphate electrolytes. EIS studies revealed that the assembly film of TiO2/PThA/PBTh possess porous-type structure. They also confirmed the approximate value of Ef obtained from electrochemical studies. Both EIS and optical studies indicated that ac conductivity is much greater than dc conductivity. Guided by the properties of PBTh, no large changes in the energy band structure occurred due to occlusion of TiO2 in PBTh films. Occlusion of TiO2/PThA into the network structure of PBTh inhibits the energy dissipation process and impeded charge polarization process of the material. Photoelectrochemical outcome suggested possible band alignments between the organic film and TiO2 and formation of hybrid sub-bands. Inclusion of TiO2 in the thiophene-based polymers enhanced the charge separation and consequently charge transfer processes and widen the absorption in visible light range.
Highlights
An important method for creation or elimination of defects in solid materials is surface or bulk modification of inorganic/organic interfaces
electrochemical impedance spectroscopic (EIS) studies revealed that the assembly film of TiO2/poly 3-(2-thienyl) aniline (PThA)/PBTh possess porous-type structure
We investigated difference(s) in optical, electrical properties, and photoelectrochemical behaviors caused by the occlusion of TiO2 surface modified with PThA in organic polymers Poly Bithiophene (PBTh)
Summary
An important method for creation or elimination of defects in solid materials is surface or bulk modification of inorganic/organic interfaces. The charge production, separation, and transfer at these interfaces were the subject of several investigations. Hybrid interfaces, such as those at the hetero-junction of inorganic/organic interfaces (IOI) recently became the focus of several research efforts [1]-[6]. The host matrix was produced by electro-polymerization of 2,2 bithiophene (BTh) which forms polymeric networks suitable for efficient occlusion The optical parameters such as the optical conductivity (σopt), optical absorption coefficient (α), refractive index (n), real dielectric constants (εr), and imaginary dielectric constants (εi) were investigated
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