Structural Characterization and Photoelectrochemical Properties of Silver Nanoparticle-Polyion Films

抄録

Fabrication of silver nanoparticle (AgP) - polyion alternate films were successful by using layer-by-layer technique. Alternate films of AgPs and polyion were fabricated as follows. First, a quartz glass substrate or an indium-tin-oxide (ITO) substrate was poured into the solution of polyethyleneimine (PEI) and then polystylenesulfonate (PSS). Then, the PSS/PEI- modified substrate was dipped into the solution of PEI and AgPs to give alternate assemblies of AgP-PEI on the PEI/PSS substrate. Adsorption of AgPs was characterized by transmission absorption spectroscopy and quartz crystal microbalance measurements. Morphologies of films were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. These results indicate the achievement of stepwise adsorption of AgPs and the formation of layer-by-layer structure. It was also observed that the films fabricated on the ITO electrode showed appreciable photocurrent based on photoexitation of AgPs.