Photoelectrochemistry with polymer semiconductors : poly (chrome azurol S-acetylene)

Abstract

The present work is concerned with producing a polymer semiconductor which could photocatalyze the decomposition of water. The method chosen to couple an aceteylene, (conductive polymer), to an organic dye, (light absorber), was the Williamson ether synthesis. If polymerized, the intention was that the polymer would be conductive, while the organic dye would branch off the polymer as a "pendent" group and be a necessary ingredient for an electrical gradient, separating a charge and producing a chemical potential, when light illuminated the polymer.

The structure of the "dye derivatized" acetylene was confirmed with the use of nmr, ir, and TLC data. Cyclic voltammetry was employed as a tool in determining any electroactive species in the dye. The cyclic voltammograms confirmed the presence of a conductive layer on the surface of the electrode, consistent with that of the electropolymerizations, but was unstable upon exposure to air, and wouldn't conduct when reimmersed in electrolyte solution.