Charge transfer tuning in TiO2 hybrid nanostructures with acceptor-acceptor systems

TL;DR

This study explores how different molecular modifiers affect charge transfer and photoelectrochemical properties in TiO2-graphene oxide hybrid nanostructures, with implications for energy and optoelectronic applications.

Contribution

It demonstrates how acceptor-acceptor molecular systems can tune charge transfer processes in TiO2 hybrids at the molecular level.

Findings

Significant change in charge transfer with different molecular modifiers

Altered photoelectrochemical response depending on molecular selection

Potential for tailored applications in photovoltaics and photocatalysis

Abstract

An interesting interplay between two different modifiers and the surface of titanium dioxide leads to a significant change in photoelectrochemical properties of the designed hybrid materials. The semiconductor is photosensitized by one of the counterparts and exhibits the photoelectrochemical photocurrent switching effect thanks to interactions with graphene oxide - the second modifier mediates charge transfer processes in the system, allowing us to design the materials response at the molecular level. Based on the selection of molecular counterpart we may affect the behaviour of hybrids upon light irradiation in a different manner, which may be useful for the applications in photovoltaics, optoelectronics and photocatalysis. Here we focus particularly on the nanocomposites made of titanium dioxide with graphene oxide combined with either 2,3,5,6-tetrachlorobenzoquinone or 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dihydroxybenzoquinone - for these two materials we observed a major change in the charge transfer processes occurring in the system.