Employing bulk-heterostructure conductive polymer PFO/PFBT for the photoelectrochemical analysis of p-phenylenediamine

Abstract

This study describes the implementation of conductive polymer as drop-casted film electrodes that facilitate the detection of phenol. The device configuration comprises ITO electrode modified with a film of conductive polymer heterostructures (poly(9,9-di-n-octylfluorene-2,7-diyl) (PFO)/poly(9,9-dioctylfluorenyl-2,7-diy)-co-(1,4-benzo-(2,1′,3)-thiadiazole) (PFBT)). The utility of PFO/PFBT-modified electrode exhibited stable photocurrent signal under visible light irradiation. Using p-phenylenediamine (p-PD) as a model target, this photoelectrochemical sensor showed a linear detection range from 0.1 μM to 200 μM with a detection limit of 96 nM, as the formed heterojunctions could promote charge transfer between PFBT, PFO, and the electrode. The applicability of the sensor for detecting p-PD in hair dye further demonstrated that the proposed sensor had potential applications for p-PD detection in complex samples. The implementation of bulk-heterostructure conductive polymer in photoelectric detection holds promise for further development of highly modular, sensitive, selective, and stable electroanalytical devices. Besides, it is expected to inspire more interest toward the design, development, and implementation of various organic bulk heterojunctions for electrochemical devices in the future.