<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><!DOCTYPE article  PUBLIC "-//NLM//DTD Journal Publishing DTD v3.0 20080202//EN" "http://dtd.nlm.nih.gov/publishing/3.0/journalpublishing3.dtd"><article xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" dtd-version="3.0" xml:lang="en" article-type="research article"><front><journal-meta><journal-id journal-id-type="publisher-id">MSCE</journal-id><journal-title-group><journal-title>Journal of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering</journal-title></journal-title-group><issn pub-type="epub">2327-6045</issn><publisher><publisher-name>Scientific Research Publishing</publisher-name></publisher></journal-meta><article-meta><article-id pub-id-type="doi">10.4236/msce.2015.35010</article-id><article-id pub-id-type="publisher-id">MSCE-56559</article-id><article-categories><subj-group subj-group-type="heading"><subject>Articles</subject></subj-group><subj-group subj-group-type="Discipline-v2"><subject>Chemistry&amp;Materials Science</subject></subj-group></article-categories><title-group><article-title>
 
 
  Photoelectrochemical Studies on High Specific Capacitance-Photoactive Interfaces Based on Poly 3,4- Ethylenedioxythiophene/Metal Oxides Assemblies
 
</article-title></title-group><contrib-group><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Kasem</surname><given-names>K. Kasem</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"><sup>1</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>William</surname><given-names>Bennett</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"><sup>1</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Heather</surname><given-names>Ramey</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"><sup>1</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Nick</surname><given-names>Daanen</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"><sup>1</sup></xref></contrib></contrib-group><aff id="aff1"><addr-line>School of Science, Indiana University Kokomo, Kokomo, IN, USA</addr-line></aff><pub-date pub-type="epub"><day>24</day><month>04</month><year>2015</year></pub-date><volume>03</volume><issue>05</issue><fpage>88</fpage><lpage>97</lpage><history><date date-type="received"><day>6</day>	<month>March</month>	<year>2015</year></date><date date-type="rev-recd"><day>accepted</day>	<month>18</month>	<year>May</year>	</date><date date-type="accepted"><day>22</day>	<month>May</month>	<year>2015</year></date></history><permissions><copyright-statement>&#169; Copyright  2014 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. </copyright-statement><copyright-year>2014</copyright-year><license><license-p>This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/</license-p></license></permissions><abstract><p>
 
 
  Inorganic/organic interfaces (IOI) consist of TiO
  <sub>2</sub>/PEDOT (poly 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and [PMo
  <sub>12</sub>O
  <sub>40</sub>]
  <sup>3-</sup> or MoO
  <sub>3</sub>/PEDOT were subject to photoelectrochemical studies in both aqueous nanosuspensions and in thin solid films. The effects PEDOT modifier caused on the photoelectrochemical behavior of the IOI were investigated using 
  [Fe(CN)
  <sub style="white-space:normal;">6</sub>
  ]
  <sup>4-</sup>
   
  as the photoactive hydrated electron donor agent. Results show that native PEDOT or PEDOT doped with MoO
  <sub>3</sub> thin films increased charge storage capability evident by the high capacitive current. In the case of nano suspensions composed of TiO
  <sub>2</sub>/PEDOT the adsorption process of [Fe(CN)
  <sub>6</sub>]
  <sup>3-</sup>
  
    (photolysis product) control of the photoactivity outcome of the IOI assemblies. TiO
  <sub>2</sub>/PEDOT shows a lower heterogeneous photochemical response than native TiO
  <sub>2</sub> in short term photolysis times. At longer photolysis times the IOI shows photoactivity greater than that of native TiO
  <sub>2</sub>. The interface activities were explained by analyzing the IOI junction characteristics, such as electron affinity, work function and hole/electrons barrier heights. The aqueous nano-systems retained moderate stability as indicated by the reproducibility of their photocatalytic activities. Both [Fe(CN)
  <sub>6</sub>]
  <sup>4-</sup>
  and PEDT contributed to the stability of native TiO
  <sub>2</sub> surfaces.
 
</p></abstract><kwd-group><kwd>Inorganic/Organic Semiconductors</kwd><kwd> Photoelectrochemical Cells</kwd><kwd> High Capacitive Assembly</kwd></kwd-group></article-meta></front><body><sec id="s1"><title>1. Introduction</title><p>Polymers of conjugated organic compounds possess large molar absorptivity which is a desired quality in the absorption of light. This was an attractive characteristic for the use of these polymers in photovoltaic cells for solar energy harvesting, conversion and storage devices. Some of these polymers can be prepared electrochemically under very controllable conditions. The use of electrochemical polymerization methods made it is possible to modify surfaces and create photoactive interfaces. Surface modification can be a very effective way to create or eliminate defects and alter the energy band at inorganic/organic Interfaces. This will also alter the donor/ac- ceptor character of the IOI assemblies. Poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and its derivatives are well known as very stable conducting polymers [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.56559-ref1">1</xref>] - [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.56559-ref6">6</xref>] . As p-conjugated conducting polymers are excellent materials for creation of photoactive interfaces due to their ability to act as electron reservoirs, thereby giving rise to colored, mixed-valence state species while retaining their structural integrity. PEDOT has been prepared by several methods including emulsion techniques [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.56559-ref1">1</xref>] , protein-mediated synthesis [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.56559-ref2">2</xref>] , vapor phase polymerization [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.56559-ref3">3</xref>] , solid state synthesis [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.56559-ref4">4</xref>] , and by electrochemical synthesis [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.56559-ref5">5</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.56559-ref6">6</xref>] .</p><p>PEDOT was subject to several investigations related to its applications in as flexible electrodes for energy storage and conversion [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.56559-ref7">7</xref>] , hybrid super capacitor materials [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.56559-ref8">8</xref>] , for use in dye-sensitized solar cells [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.56559-ref9">9</xref>] , as chemiresistive sensors for detection of nitro-aromatics [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.56559-ref10">10</xref>] , for dip-pen nanolithography [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.56559-ref11">11</xref>] , and PEDOT-based nano-coatings for tissue regeneration has been investigated [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.56559-ref12">12</xref>] . These materials have also been used for construction of inorganic/organic interfaces, where the reversible electro-switchable luminescence in thin films of organic-inorganic hybrid assemblies was reported [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.56559-ref13">13</xref>] .</p><p>The great stability of PEDOT and its ability to act as electron donor (p-Type) substantiate the interest to investigate its usefulness in conjunction with the well-known stable photoactive semiconductor TiO<sub>2</sub>, and in conjunction with the multi-redox active centers MoO<sub>3</sub>. The performance of TiO<sub>2</sub>/PEDOT, and MoO<sub>3</sub>/PEDOT assembly interfaces will be examined monitoring their effectiveness in charge separation, exchange, storage, and transfer.</p></sec><sec id="s2"><title>2. Experimental</title><sec id="s2_1"><title>2.1. Reagents</title><p>All the reagents were of analytical grade. All of the solutions were prepared using deionized water, unless otherwise stated. TiO<sub>2</sub>, TiO<sub>2</sub>/PEDOT were either in nanoparticulate form or thin solid films.</p></sec><sec id="s2_2"><title>2.2. Preparations</title><p>1-PEDOT: This polymer was prepared by both electrochemical and photochemical techniques:</p><sec id="s2_2_1"><title>2.2.1. Electropolymerization of EDOT</title><p>Polymer thin films were generated electrochemically using cyclic voltammetry (CV) by repetitive cycling of the FTO electrode potential at a scan rate 0.10 V/s between −1.5 and 1.2 V vs Ag/AgCl in acetonitrile solution of 0.2 M LiClO<sub>4</sub> containing 10 mM of the monomer.</p></sec><sec id="s2_2_2"><title>2.2.2. Preparation of TiO<sub>2</sub>/PEDOT/Interface</title><p>Colloidal suspensions of TiO<sub>2</sub>/PEDOT interface were prepared as follows: 0.05 g of TiO<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles prepared as reported previously [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.56559-ref14">14</xref>] were suspended in the solution of EDOT in acetonitrile. The mixture was subjected to a 10 minute sonication followed by stirring for 1.0 hour to allow maximum adsorption of EDOT on the TiO<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles. The excess EDOT was removed by centrifugation. TiO<sub>2</sub> with adsorbed EDOT was re-suspended in deionized-water containing a few drops of 30% H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> and subjected to UV radiation under constant stirring for 3 hours. The resultant TiO<sub>2</sub>/PEDOT was rinsed several times with deionized water and allowed to dry at 120˚C for 2 hours.</p></sec><sec id="s2_2_3"><title>2.2.3. Electropolymerization of EDOT/MoO<sub>3</sub></title><p>Thin films of PEDOT containing clusters of MoO<sub>3</sub> were generated electrochemically using cyclic voltammetry (CV) by repetitive cycling of the FTO electrode potential at a scan rate 0.10 V/s between −0.4 and 1.2 V vs Ag/AgCl in mixed solvent of dioxane/water containing 1 mM of the monomer EDOT, 0.5 mM of phosphomolybdic acid (H<sub>3</sub>PMo<sub>12</sub>O<sub>40</sub>) and 0.5 M H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>.</p></sec><sec id="s2_2_4"><title>2.2.4. Deposition of TiO<sub>2</sub>/PEDOT Thin Solid Films</title><p>Thin solid films of TiO<sub>2</sub> particles, modified with PEDOT (prepared as described in B) were suspended in acetonitrile solution of polyvinyl pyridine (PVP). The suspension was spread evenly over fluorine doped Tin oxide (FTO) slides (12.5 &#215; 75 mm) and dried at 120˚C for 6 hours. The assembled electrode was transferred to a three-electrode cell containing the chosen buffer as the electrolyte and a Ag/AgCl and Pt electrodes as the reference and counter electrode respectively.</p></sec></sec><sec id="s2_3"><title>2.3. Instrumentation</title><p>All electrochemical experiments were carried out using a BAS 100 W electrochemical analyzer (Bioanalytical Co). Steady state reflectance spectra were obtained using Shimadzu UV-2101 PC. Irradiation was performed with a solar simulator 300 watt xenon lamp (Newport) with an IR filter. Photoelectrochemical studies on thin solid film were performed on an experimental setting as illustrated in (Diagram 1(a)). The electro/photolysis cell was a one-compartment Pyrex cell with a quartz window (Diagram 1(b)) facing the irradiation source [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.56559-ref15">15</xref>] . The working electrode, a 10.0 cm<sup>2</sup> platinum gauze cylinder, had a solution volume of 100 mL. Suspensions were stirred with a magnetic stirrer during the measurements. A Ag/AgCl/Cl reference electrode was also fitted into this compartment. A 10-cm<sup>2</sup> platinum counter electrode was housed in a glass cylinder sealed in one end with a fine-porosity glass frit.</p><p>Photolysis of [Fe(CN)<sub>6</sub>]<sup>4</sup><sup>−</sup> generated hydrated electrons and [Fe(CN)<sub>6</sub>]<sup>3</sup><sup>−</sup>. The potential of the working electrode was fixed at 100 mV more negative than the reduction potential of [Fe(CN)<sub>6</sub>]<sup>3</sup><sup>−</sup> to guarantee full reduction of ferricyanide. The current due to the reduction of [Fe(CN)<sub>6</sub>]<sup>3</sup><sup>−</sup> collected by the working electrode during the photolysis process is a measure of photocurrent. The measured photocurrent was normalized considering two photons per one hydrogen molecule, and was used to calculate the number of moles of hydrogen generated per square meter per hour of illumination.</p><p>Unless otherwise stated, all experiments were performed at room temperature 25˚C &#177; 1˚C.</p></sec></sec><sec id="s3"><title>3. Results and Discussions</title><sec id="s3_1"><title>3.1. Electropolymerization of EDOT</title><p>Controlled deposition of polymer film took place by repetitive cycling of the FTO electrode potential at scan rate of 0.10 V/s between −1.5 and 1.2 V vs Ag/AgCl in acetonitrile solution containing 10 mM of EDOT monomer and 0.5 M LiClO<sub>4</sub>. The results are displayed in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>(a). The growth of the redox wave in the potential range −0.5 V to 1.0 V was an indicator for the buildup of EDOT films.</p></sec><sec id="s3_2"><title>3.2. Electrochemical Behavior of PEDOT</title><p>The electrochemical behavior of PEDOT was investigated by cycling the potential of FTO modified with PEDOT between −1.0 to 1.40 V vs Ag/AgCl in acetonitrile containing 0.5 M LiClO<sub>4</sub> at scan rate 0.10 V/s. The results are displayed in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>(b). It can be noticed that the resulted CV shows an oxidation wave at ≈−0.1 V</p><fig-group id="fig1"><label><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref></label><caption><title> (a) electropolymerization of 3,4 EDT in ACN containing LiClO<sub>4</sub>; (b) CV of ITO/PEDT in ACN/LiClO<sub>4</sub> only, scan rate 100 mV/s; (c) capacitive charge density for FTO/PEDT in ACN containing LiClO<sub>4</sub>.</title></caption><fig id ="fig1_1"><label> (b)</label><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/10-1740160x6.png"/></fig><fig id ="fig1_2"><label>Diagram 1. Photoelectrochemical cells. (a)</label><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/10-1740160x7.png"/></fig></fig-group><p>and reduction wave at ≈−0.5 V. it is worth noticing also the very high capacitive current on the thin film of PEDOT. The plot of capacitance vs potential is displayed in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>(c). The large capacitive currents observed for FTO/PEDPT suggest that this assembly could be used as electrodes for super capacitors.</p></sec><sec id="s3_3"><title>3.3. Band-Energy Map of PEDOT</title><p>While the band gap of PEDOT depends on the level of doping [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.56559-ref16">16</xref>] which controls the absorption peak of the polymer, we choose to use the absorption peak of a neutral polymer film which conditioned at a potential more negative than its first oxidation potential (˂−0.3 V vs Ag/AgCl). The absorption peak under these conditions was found to be at 580 nm, corresponding to a band gap of 2.15 eV. Ionization potential (IP) and electron affinity (EA) are important parameters to draw the energy map of PEDOT along with the band gap (Eg). These parameters are also needed to explain the electrical and optical properties of the film. Relating electrochemical data such as the onset oxidation potential (E’ox), the onset reduction potential (E’Red), and the band gap leads to an understanding of the integrated energy diagram of the film. Onset potentials can be estimated from the intersection of the two tangents drawn at the rising oxidation current and the background current in the CV using the following formula [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.56559-ref17">17</xref>] :</p><disp-formula id="scirp.56559-formula4"><label>(1)</label><graphic position="anchor" xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/10-1740160x8.png"  xlink:type="simple"/></disp-formula><p>An Ag/AgCl was used as a reference electrode (E˚ = 0.197 V ≈ 0.2 V vs SHE), therefore E<sub>Ag/AgCl</sub> ≈ E<sub>SHE</sub> + 0.20, and when E<sub>vac</sub> ≈ 0, the above Equation can be rewritten as follows:</p><disp-formula id="scirp.56559-formula5"><label>(2)</label><graphic position="anchor" xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/10-1740160x9.png"  xlink:type="simple"/></disp-formula><p>As <inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/10-1740160x10.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula> where <inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/10-1740160x11.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula> is oxidation potential onset.</p><disp-formula id="scirp.56559-formula6"><label>(3)</label><graphic position="anchor" xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/10-1740160x12.png"  xlink:type="simple"/></disp-formula><p>where E'<sub>ox</sub> is oxidation potential onset relative to Ag/AgCl. Substitution from Equation (2) to (3), results in:</p><disp-formula id="scirp.56559-formula7"><label>(4)</label><graphic position="anchor" xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/10-1740160x13.png"  xlink:type="simple"/></disp-formula><p>Considering that the energy gap between HOMO (valence band) and LUMO (conduction band) to the band gap (Eg), and the energy gap between the LUMO and vacuum level is the electron affinity (EA), we can write the following Equation:</p><disp-formula id="scirp.56559-formula8"><label>(5)</label><graphic position="anchor" xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/10-1740160x14.png"  xlink:type="simple"/></disp-formula><p>By integrating the spectral absorption information with the data obtained from <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref> and Equations (1)-(5) and consideration of absorption spectra of PEDOT, a list of photo-electrochemical data for TiO<sub>2</sub> and PEDOT were deduced and summarized in <xref ref-type="table" rid="table1">Table 1</xref>. The quantities are listed without signs to reflect only their magnitude. The fact that the hole barrier height is large (≈2 eV) and greater than the electron barrier height may indicate that charge injection is mediated at the IOI interface through hole transfer.</p></sec><sec id="s3_4"><title>3.4. Photoelectrochemical Behavior of TiO<sub>2</sub>/PEDOT</title>Thin Solid Form<p>Cycling the potentials of FTO/TIO<sub>2</sub>/ PEDOT in 0.2 M phosphate buffer (pH 6) in the dark and under illumination are displayed in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig2">Figure 2</xref>. The increase in the reported current during the cathodic scan at 0.2 V vs Ag/AgCl gives an approximate value of the flat band potential of the ITO/TiO<sub>2</sub>/PEDOT/aqueous electrolyte interface. The variations of photocurrent vs time were studied by measuring the photocurrent generated by this assembly upon illumination at −0.3 V vs Ag/AgCl he results are displayed in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig3">Figure 3</xref>, which indicates that a large photocurrent is produced at the first illumination, which dropped in inconsistent ways during the next conductive illumination periods. Such observation indicates changes in the course of charge separation at this IOI assembly.</p><fig id="fig2"  position="float"><label><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig2">Figure 2</xref></label><caption><title> CV of FTO/PEDT in phosphate buffer pH 6 L (light), D (Dark)</title></caption><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/10-1740160x15.png"/></fig><fig id="fig3"  position="float"><label><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig3">Figure 3</xref></label><caption><title> Photocurrent-time curve for ITO/TiO<sub>2</sub>/PEDOT in Phosphate buffer pH 6 containing 10 mM [Fe(CN)<sub>6</sub>]<sup>3−</sup> at −0.5 V vs Ag/AgCl L &amp; D donates to Light and dark respectively</title></caption><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/10-1740160x16.png"/></fig><table-wrap id="table1" ><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table1">Table 1</xref></label><caption><title> photoelectrochemical data for TiO<sub>2</sub>/PEDOT assembly</title></caption><table><tbody><thead><tr><th align="center" valign="middle" >Property</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >PEDOT</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >TiO<sub>2</sub></th><th align="center" valign="middle" >TiO<sub>2</sub>/PEDOT</th></tr></thead><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Band gap, eV</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2.15</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2.90</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Onset E<sub>ox</sub>, V vs Ag/AgCl</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >−0.30</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Flat band pot., E<sub>fb</sub>,V vs SHE</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.20</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.40</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >−0.10</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Ionization Pot., IP, eV</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >4.5</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >7.4</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Electron Affinity EA, eV</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >≈2.30</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Φ<sup>1</sup> Hole barrier, eV</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >≈2.8</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >ȹ<sup>2</sup> Electron barrier ,eV</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.7</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap><p><sup>1</sup>Hole barrier height = HOMO<sub>(PEDOT)</sub> − VB<sub>(TiO2)</sub>; <sup>2</sup>electron barrier height = LUMO<sub>(PEDOT</sub>) − CB<sub>(TiO2)</sub>.</p></sec><sec id="s3_5"><title>3.5. Effect of Electrolyte Anions on the Photoelectrochemical Behavior of the IOI Assembly</title><p>The results of investigation of the photoelectrochemical behavior of ITO/TiO<sub>2</sub>/PEDOT in 0.20 M acetate pH 6 buffers are displayed in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig4">Figure 4</xref> and <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig5">Figure 5</xref>. <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig4">Figure 4</xref> shows that the current recorded under the dark conditions is greater than that recorded under illumination which is opposite to the behavior recorded in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig2">Figure 2</xref>. Furthermore, opposite behavior also can be seen by comparing results displayed in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig3">Figure 3</xref> and <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig5">Figure 5</xref>. The change from phosphate (<inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/10-1740160x17.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula>) buffer to acetate buffer (CH<sub>3</sub>COO<sup>−</sup>) clearly alters the nature of the donor/ac- ceptor process and consequently alters the mechanism of charge separation and transfer at the IOI electrolyte interface. Also, the photocurrent reported in presence of acetate (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig5">Figure 5</xref>) is steady and constant, which is not the case with the photocurrent recorded in phosphate buffer.</p></sec><sec id="s3_6"><title>3.6. Photoelectrochemical Behavior of TiO<sub>2</sub>/PNR Aqueous Suspensions</title><p>The theory of the photolysis of aqueous [Fe(CN)<sub>6</sub>]<sup>4</sup><sup>−</sup> has been discussed elsewhere [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.56559-ref18">18</xref>] . In this study, aqueous suspensions of pure TiO<sub>2</sub> and TiO<sub>2</sub> surface-modified with PEDOT in 0.2 M phosphate buffer at pH 6 containing 0.010 M [Fe(CN)<sub>6</sub>]<sup>4</sup><sup>−</sup> were subject to the photolysis process. The potential of the Pt collector electrode was kept constant at 0.000 V vs Ag/AgCl. The results are displayed in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig6">Figure 6</xref>. Peak A in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig6">Figure 6</xref> is the result of total electrochemical reduction of any [Fe(CN)<sub>6</sub>]<sup>3</sup><sup>−</sup> shown in the following photoreaction:</p><fig id="fig4"  position="float"><label><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig4">Figure 4</xref></label><caption><title> CV of FTO/TiO<sub>2</sub>/PEDT in Acetate buffer pH 6</title></caption><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/10-1740160x18.png"/></fig><fig id="fig5"  position="float"><label><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig5">Figure 5</xref></label><caption><title> Photolysis FTO/TiO<sub>2</sub>/PEDT thin film in Acetate buffer pH 6 containing 10 mM [Fe(CN)<sub>6</sub>]<sup>4−</sup> (a) at −0.50 V vs Ag/AgCl (b) at −0.30V vs Ag/AgCl (L and D donate to Light and dark)</title></caption><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/10-1740160x19.png"/></fig><disp-formula id="scirp.56559-formula9"><label>(6)</label><graphic position="anchor" xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/10-1740160x20.png"  xlink:type="simple"/></disp-formula><p>In presence of semiconductor nanoparticles (SC) the following photoreduction reaction takes place:<sup> </sup></p><disp-formula id="scirp.56559-formula10"><label>(7)</label><graphic position="anchor" xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/10-1740160x21.png"  xlink:type="simple"/></disp-formula><p>The number of photons consumed in this photoreaction can be calculated from the integration of the green zone portion in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig6">Figure 6</xref>. The mechanism of the reaction in Equation (7) has been previously discussed [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.56559-ref18">18</xref>] . The data listed in <xref ref-type="table" rid="table2">Table 2</xref> clearly show that modified TiO<sub>2</sub> with PEDOT was more efficient than in the process of photoreduction of [Fe(CN)<sub>6</sub>]<sup>3</sup><sup>−</sup> on native TiO<sub>2</sub>.</p></sec><sec id="s3_7"><title>3.7. Doping PEDOT with MoO<sub>3</sub></title><p>Thin solid films of PEDOT doped with MoO<sub>3</sub> have been achieved by the occlusion electrodeposition process as described in experimental section. The results are displayed in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig7">Figure 7</xref>. The growth of both anodic and cathodic peaks currents is indication of the buildup PEDOT impregnated with MoO<sub>3</sub>. The resulting film has dark bluish appearance. It is well known that [PMo<sub>12</sub>O<sub>40</sub>]<sup>3</sup><sup>−</sup> decomposes to produce MoO<sub>3</sub> [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.56559-ref19">19</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.56559-ref20">20</xref>] .</p></sec><sec id="s3_8"><title>3.8. Electrochemical Behavior of ITO/MoO<sub>3</sub>/PEDOT</title><p>The cyclic voltammetry (CV) of ITO/MoO<sub>3</sub>/PEDOT assembly in 0.5 M H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub> (50% dioxane/water) mixture is displayed in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig8">Figure 8</xref> (Trace 1). Occlusion of MoO<sub>3 </sub>into PEDOT sharply increases the capacitive current and stored greater amount of charge. This observation is supported by the fact that Trace 2 in this figure is the CV for the ITO/PEDOT in the electrolyte only as also illustrated in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>(b). The comparison displayed in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig8">Figure 8</xref> confirms the fact that MoO<sub>3</sub> is strong electron storage capacity. The large amount of charge represented by the area of Trace 1 compared to that Trace 2, clearly recommend that the MoO<sub>3</sub>/PEDOT assembly can enhance energy storage in both battery and capacitor charge.</p><fig id="fig6"  position="float"><label><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig6">Figure 6</xref></label><caption><title> Photolysis of TiO<sub>2</sub>/PEDT in Phosphate buffer pH 6 (a) in aqueous containing 10 mM [Fe(CN)<sub>6</sub>]<sup>4−</sup> (b) as in A + addition of nanoparticle suspensions of TiO<sub>2</sub>/PEDT (L and D donate to Light and dark). Green zone represents the photoreduction</title></caption><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/10-1740160x22.png"/></fig><table-wrap id="table2" ><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table2">Table 2</xref></label><caption><title> Photolysis of Aqueous 10 mM of K<sub>4</sub>[Fe(CN)<sub>6</sub>] (Ref) in 0.2M <inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/10-1740160x23.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula> (pH = 6.0) in presence of TiO<sub>2</sub>/PEDOT nanoparticle suspensions</title></caption><table><tbody><thead><tr><th align="center" valign="middle" >Sample</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Ref.</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Ref. + TiO<sub>2</sub></th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Ref. + TiO<sub>2</sub>/PEDOT</th></tr></thead><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Charge (C) due to EC reduction<sup>1</sup></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2.423</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.646</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.925</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Charges (C) due to Photochem. Reduction<sup>2</sup></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.777</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.494</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >% Photocurrent<sup>3</sup></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >32. 07</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >61.7</td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap><p><sup>1</sup>Calculated from integrating area under Curve A (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig6">Figure 6</xref>). <sup>2</sup>Calculated by integrating yellow zone area and green zone area (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig6">Figure 6</xref>). <sup>3</sup>Calculated by the ration of photoreduction/EC reduction.</p><fig id="fig7"  position="float"><label><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig7">Figure 7</xref></label><caption><title> (a) Electrodeposition of [PMo<sub>12</sub>O<sub>40</sub>]<sup>3−</sup> in FTO/PEDOT in aqueous H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>/Dioxane solvent. Inset (b) (scan number is indicated in the figure)</title></caption><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/10-1740160x24.png"/></fig><fig id="fig8"  position="float"><label><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig8">Figure 8</xref></label><caption><title> 1) CV of ITO/PEDT/Mo<sub>12</sub>O<sub>36</sub> in aqueous H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>/ Dioxins only, scan rate 100 mV/s; 2) CV of ITO/PEDT in aqueous H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>/Dioxins only , scan rate 100 mV/s</title></caption><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/10-1740160x25.png"/></fig><fig id="fig9"  position="float"><label><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig9">Figure 9</xref></label><caption><title> Energy band alignment between TiO<sub>2</sub> and PEDOT</title></caption><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/10-1740160x26.png"/></fig></sec></sec><sec id="s4"><title>4. Conclusions</title><p>The TiO<sub>2</sub> used in this study is a p-type semiconductor and the properties of PEDOT listed in <xref ref-type="table" rid="table1">Table 1</xref> indicate that it is electron donor, its low electron affinity suggests that an Iso p-p junction [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.56559-ref21">21</xref>] is formed by creation of a hole accumulation layer in one side and a hole depletion layer on the counter side. The fact that holes in PEDOT’s HOMO are at more negative potential than that in TiO<sub>2</sub>’s VB (2.7 eV) as shown in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig9">Figure 9</xref>, suggests that the charge injection/transfer mechanism took place via hole transfer. This is because more negative potential will attract TiO<sub>2</sub> holes to PEDOT side.</p><p>The band-energy map of PEDOT has a staggered-band alignment with TiO<sub>2 </sub>(<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig9">Figure 9</xref>(b)) in IOI assemblies as indicated by both electrochemical and spectroscopic data. Such staggered band alignments facilitate the photo-activity of both organic and inorganic semiconductors through hybrid―sub bands leading to more capturing of incident photons at this IOI assembly.</p><p>Our studies demonstrated that PEDOT modification of TiO<sub>2</sub> enhances the photoactivities of TiO<sub>2</sub>/PEDOT assembly as indicated by the data listed in <xref ref-type="table" rid="table2">Table 2</xref>. Furthermore, PEDOT/[PMo<sub>12</sub>O<sub>40</sub>]<sup>3</sup><sup>−</sup> exhibit high capacitive storage interface that is very useful in energy storage devices.</p></sec><sec id="s5"><title>Cite this paper</title><p>Kasem K. 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