Efficient photocurrent generation through a self-assembled monolayer of C60-mercaptophenylanthrylacetylene

A novel conjugated molecule, C60-mercaptophenylanthrylacetylene (C60-MPAA) has been self-assembled on a gold surface to form a highly ordered monolayer. The electrochemical properties of this molecule in solution or in a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) were investigated using cyclic voltammetry. A stable cathodic photocurrent was observed from a photoelectrochemical cell using the C60-MPAA SAM modified gold as the working electrode in the presence of methyl viologen (MV2+) as electron carrier. The quantum yield (14%) of the cell was obtained at a bias of −100 mV versus Ag/AgCl under the illumination of monochromatic light at 400 nm. The dependence of photocurrent on the potential bias applied to the self-assembled monolayer modified Au electrode indicated that electron flow from C60-MPAA to the counter electrode through the electron carriers.