Photocurrents in the ZnO and TiO2 Photoelectrochemical Cells Sensitized by Xanthene Dyes and Tetraphenylporphines. Effect of Substitution on the Electron Injection Processes

Abstract

Abstract The photocurrents in zinc oxide and titanium dioxide electrodes sensitized by anionic xanthene dyes (Eosine Y, Phloxine B, Erythrosine, and Rose Bengal) and metal tetraphenylporphines were studied in aqueous solutions. The quantum efficiencies of the photocurrents sensitized by anionic xanthene dyes were unaffected by substitution of the dye with various halogen atoms, while those sensitized by the tetraphenylporphines were affected by changing the central metal. It is concluded from these results that the electron injection from the excited xanthene dyes to the semiconductor electrodes is a process so rapid (<<0.1 ns) that no internal quenching processes can compete with it, while that from the tetraphynelporphines is relatively slow competing with the internal deactivation processes. It is also concluded that the electron back transfer from the semiconductor conduction band to the oxdized dye decreases the sensitization efficiency.