Novel photoactive self-assembled rigid monolayer of a perylene derivative: fabrication and characterization

A novel rigid self-assembled monolayer derived from a perylene derivative, 3,4,9,10-perylene tetracarboxylic acid, was prepared on hydroxyl-bearing surfaces via an ester bond-linkage. Contact angle measurements, UV-visible spectra, cyclic voltammetry and atomic force microscopy characterization showed that densely packed, well-ordered monolayer was formed at the ITO and mica substrates. The as-grown PTA SAM was photoactive, as characterized by steady anodic photocurrent generation from the PTA monolayer modified ITO in a three-electrode photoelectrochemical cell upon illumination with the presence of electron sacrificer electrode in the electrolyte. The agreement of the photoaction spectrum with optical absorption spectrum demonstrates that the PTA dye-aggregate within the SAM is responsible for the photocurrent generation.