Photocurrent Generation in Multilayer Self‐Assembly Films Fabricated from Water‐Soluble Poly(phenylene vinylene)

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Abstract
A novel, water‐soluble, cationic PPV derivative poly{(2,5‐bis(3‐bromotrimethylammoniopropoxy)‐phenylene‐1,4‐divinylene)‐alt‐1,4‐(2,5‐bis(2‐(2‐hydroxyethoxy)ethoxy))phenylene vinylene} (BH‐PPV) has been synthesized by a Heck coupling reaction. Multilayered assemblies of the BH‐PPV and the sodium salt of hexa(sulfobutyl)fullerenes (C60‐HS) were fabricated successfully by an alternate deposition technique. The multilayer structures were studied by UV/Vis spectroscopy, small angle X‐ray diffraction, and atomic force microscopy. The photoinduced charge transfer property of the self‐assembled multilayer film was also measured by a three‐electrode cell technique. A steady and rapid cathodic 5.5 μA cm−2 photocurrent response was measured as the irradiation of the multilayer film was switched on and off. Importantly, the response of on/off cycling is prompt and reproducible. A possible mechanism for the electron‐transfer process is proposed.