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Influence of sensitization of the electron transfer through the interface zinc oxide/electrolyte by salt additions

Journal Article · · J. Electrochem. Soc.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1149/1.2131396· OSTI ID:5132188
To study the mechanism of the spectral sensitization with the electrochemical cell + In/ZnO-single crystal/dye + electrolyte/Pt - measurements of the photocurrent influenced by salt additions to the electrolyte were performed. The ZnO-semiconductor-anode operates as a probe for excited states of dyes acting as sensitizer for the charge transfer through the interface zinc oxide/electrolyte. By addition of Br/sup -/, J/sup -/, SCN/sup -/, and SeCN/sup -/ ions to the dye-containing electrolyte a significant increase of the sensitized photocurrent was generated. This enhancement can either be attributed to a change of the dye adsorption on zinc oxide or be explained by the fluorescence quenching of the adsorbed sensitizer in the presence of halide ions. With this quenching, radical anions F/sup -/ or excited triplet states /sup 3/F* of the dyes are produced which are responsible for the increase of the photocurrent. The possible single steps of this reaction are discussed.
Research Organization:
Univ., Goettingen, Ger.
OSTI ID:
5132188
Journal Information:
J. Electrochem. Soc.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Electrochem. Soc.; (United States) Vol. 125:1; ISSN JESOA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English