Construction of organic–inorganic hybrid ultrathin films self-assembled from poly(thiophene-3-acetic acid) and TiO2

Abstract

Ultrathin films of poly(thiophene-3-acetic acid) (PTAA)/TiO₂ nanocomposite were fabricated layer by layer at various solid surfaces by consecutively adsorbing PTAA and TiCl₄ (in toluene–ethanol). The fabrication process was carried out by performing the controlled hydrolysis and condensation processes in separate steps. The build-up of such multilayer films was monitored by UV–VIS spectroscopy and quartz crystal microbalance measurements. The ordered multilayers were subsequently characterized by IR spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, electrochemical, photo-electrochemical and electrical conductivity measurements. The potential application of such nanocomposite films in photovoltaic applications is discussed.