Preparation and photocurrent generation of an electrostatically self-assembled film of hemicyanine and poly(4-styrenesulfonic acid- co-maleic acid).

ABSTRACT In this article, we report on electrostatically self-assembled thin films prepared by the alternative immersion of quartz-coated and indium tin oxide coated glass substrates in aqueous solutions of a copolymer of poly(4-styrenesulfonic acid- co-maleic acid) (PSSMA) and a hemicyanine of ( E)−1,1′-(propane-1,3-diyl)bis{4-[4-(dimethylamino)styryl]pyridinium} bromide (H³Br₂). The films were studied by means of ultraviolet-visible absorption and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies, scanning electron microscopy, and photoelectrochemical measurements. When irradiated with white light, the PSSMA/H³ monolayer film gave a stable cathodic photocurrent. The effects of the applied bias voltages, layer numbers of the (PSSMA/H³) _n films (where n stands for the number of bilayer films on both sides of the substrates), light intensities, pH value, and electron acceptor on the photocurrent generation of the (PSSMA/H³) _n film were examined. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 39871. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]