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Electrochemistry and photocurrents of the tris(bipyridine)ruthenium(II) and methyl viologen cations immobilized in carrageenan hydrogel. [tris(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(II)]

Journal Article · · Inorganic Chemistry; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ic00023a026· OSTI ID:7163301
;  [1]; ;  [2]
  1. Univ., of North Carolina, Charlotte (United States)
  2. Duke Univ., Durham, NC (United States)

A procedure for immobilization of both a photochromophore, tris(2,2{prime}-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy){sub 3}{sup 2+}), and a quencher, methyl viologen (MV{sup 2+}), within a carrageenan hydrogel matrix at an electrode surface is described. Ru(bpy){sub 3}{sup 2+} and MV{sup 2+} exhibited diffusion coefficients that ranged from 10{sup {minus} 7} to 10{sup {minus} 6} cm{sup 2}/s in the hydrogel, which represents an improvement over other immobilization matrices. Photolysis of the resulting hydrogel surface modified electrodes gave rise to a significant photocurrent which depended on the concentrations of Ru(bpy){sub 3}{sup 2+}, MV{sup 2+}, and triethanolamine and resulted in a maximum value of 12 {mu}A/cm{sup 2} after the hydrogel was cured with a solution containing 5 mM Ru(bpy){sub 3}{sup 2+} and 50 mM MV{sup 2+}. The photocurrent was the result of reoxidation of MV{sup +} at the electrode surface following reduction of MV{sup 2+} by photoexcited Ru(bpy){sub 3}{sup 2+}. The quenching rate constant of Ru(bpy){sub 3}{sup 2+} by MV{sup 2+} in the hydrogel was 4.2 {times} 10{sup 8} M{sup {minus}1} s{sup {minus}1}. The photocurrent action spectrum was consistent with Ru(bpy){sub 3}{sup 2+} acting as the photochromophore. Offsetting the potential of the hydrogel electrode verified the role of the MV{sup 2+}/{sup +} redox couple as the source of the current.

DOE Contract Number:
FG05-84ER13263
OSTI ID:
7163301
Journal Information:
Inorganic Chemistry; (United States), Journal Name: Inorganic Chemistry; (United States) Vol. 30:23; ISSN 0020-1669; ISSN INOCA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English