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Enhancement of photocurrent generation from a series of hybrid nanocomposite self-assembled films of transition element-substituted tungstoborates/hemicyanine

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Abstract

A series of electrostatically self-assembled films have successfully been prepared by alternating adsorption of transition element-monosubstituted tungstoborate anions [BW11M(H2O)O39]7− (BW11M, M = Ni, Cu, Cd) and a bichromophore hemicyanine cation of (E)-1,1′-(hexane-1,6-diyl)bis(4-(4-(dimethylamino)styryl)pyridinium) (H6), respectively. The UV–Visible spectra showed that the films were uniformly deposited and H6 molecules formed J-aggregations in the films. The (BW11M/H6) n films could generate stable cathodic photocurrents of 0.56–1.32 μA/cm2 as irradiated with white light (100 mW/cm2, 730 nm > λ > 325 nm) at zero bias voltage versus SCE, and the photocurrent action spectra indicated that the cathodic photocurrents were generated based on charge transfer excitation of the H6 in the (BW11M/ H6) n films. The composition and structure of polyoxometalate anion in the films have important influences on photocurrents. Moreover, the effects of layer number of (BW11M/H6) n film, applied potentials, and electron acceptor in the electrolyte on photocurrent generation of the (BW11M/H6) n films have been examined, and photoelectric mechanism is also discussed

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Acknowledgements

The financial supports from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21371018 and 21171022), Beijing Scientific Research Base Construction-Scientific and Technological Innovation Platform-Additional Fund for NNSFC (19005418040), College Students’ Scientific Research and Entrepreneurial Action Plan (SJ201501001), and Analytical and Measurements Fund of Beijing Normal University are greatly acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing, 100048, China

    Lihua Gao, Jingping Su & Jianing Zhang

  2. College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China

    Kezhi Wang

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  1. Lihua Gao
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  2. Jingping Su
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Correspondence to Lihua Gao.

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Gao, L., Su, J., Zhang, J. et al. Enhancement of photocurrent generation from a series of hybrid nanocomposite self-assembled films of transition element-substituted tungstoborates/hemicyanine. J Mater Sci 50, 8064–8072 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-015-9374-5

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