Self‐Assembly and Surface Photovoltage Response of ZnS Nanoparticulate Films Sensitized by Tetrasulfonated Copper Phthalocyanine

Abstract

Composite films of ZnS nanoparticle‐polyelectrolyte were fabricated by the layer‐by‐layer self‐assembly technique. The optical properties and structure of the films were characterized by UV‐vis absorption spectra and AFM. The films sensitized by tetrasulfonated copper phthalocyanine (CuTsPc) show wide photovoltaic response range. The surface photovoltages corresponding to the ZnS nanoparticle interband transition and CuTsPc Q band transition in the sensitized film are approximately three to four times stronger than those in the ZnS nanoparticle‐polyelectrolyte film and CuTsPc film, respectively, which is attributed to the electron transition from the excited state of CuTsPc to the conduction band of ZnS nanoparticles.

Keywords:

• ZnS nanoparticles
• tetrasulfonated copper phthalocyanine
• self‐assembled films
• photovoltage

Acknowledgments

This work was financially supported by the Excellent Young Teachers Program and the Research Foundation for Returned Student Abroad of MOE, China. The authors also thank the Shanghai Education Committee for support.