Effectiveness of silane monomer and gamma radiation on chitosan films and PCL-based composites

Chitosan films were prepared by casting from its 1% (w/w) solution. Tensile strength (TS) and tensile modulus (TM) of chitosan films were found to be 30 MPa and 450 MPa, respectively. Silane monomer (3-aminopropyl tri-methoxysilane) (0.25%, w/w) was added into the chitosan solution (1%, w/w) and films were casted. Then films were exposed to gamma radiation (5–25 kGy) and mechanical properties were investigated. It was found that at 10 kGy, the values of TS and TM were improved significantly. Silane grafted chitosan film reinforced poly(caprolactone) (PCL)-based tri-layer composites were prepared by compression molding. Silane improved interfacial adhesion between chitosan and PCL in composites. Surface of the films was investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and found better morphology for silane grafted films.     

Improvement of the mechanical and barrier properties of methylcellulose-based films by treatment with HEMA and silane monomers under gamma radiation

Methylcellulose (MC)-based films were prepared by casting from its 1% aqueous solution containing 0.5% vegetable oil, 0.25% glycerol and 0.025% Tween^®-80. Puncture strength (PS), puncture deformation (PD) and water vapor permeability (WVP) of the films were found to be 147 N/mm, 3.46 mm, and 6.34 g mm/m² day kPa, respectively. The monomer, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) (0.1–1%, w/w) was incorporated into the MC-based solution and films were prepared by casting. Films were then exposed to gamma radiation (5–25 kGy) and it revealed that 1% HEMA containing films showed the highest PS values (282 N/mm at 10 kGy). Silane monomer (3-aminopropyl tri-ethoxy silane) (0.1–1%, w/w) was also added into the MC-based films and were found to improve the strength of the films significantly. In comparison between HEMA and silane treatment onto MC-based films, it was observed that silane performed better strength and barrier properties. Surface morphology of the monomer treated films was examined by scanning electron microscopy and suggested better appearance than MC-based film.     

Polymer‐coated Boron Doped Diamond Optically Transparent Electrodes for Spectroelectrochemical Sensors

Spectroelectrochemical sensors combine electrochemistry, spectroscopy, and partitioning into a film to provide improved selectivity for the target analyte. The sensor usually consists of an optically transparent electrode (OTE) coated with a charge selective polymer film. The polymer film is chosen to pre‐concentrate analyte at the OTE surface to improve the sensitivity and provide selectivity against like charged interferences. OTEs such as Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) have been used extensively for spectroelectrochemical sensors, but little is known about the applicability of such sensors using other OTE materials, such as Boron Doped Diamond (BDD). One distinct advantage of BDD OTEs over ITO OTEs is their significant increase in sensitivity for organic compounds, such as 4‐aminophenol and hydroquinone. We have developed absorption and fluorescence‐based sensing methods with a BDD OTE coated with a sulfonated ionomer film, Nafion. This is demonstrated with tris(2,2′‐bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) ion [Ru(bpy)₃²⁺] using an attenuated total reflectance (ATR) flow cell setup for both absorption and fluorescence. With a Nafion coated BDD optically transparent thin layer electrode (OTTLE), we developed a fluorescence based sensor for a common polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), 1‐hydroxypyrene (1‐pyOH), achieving a detection limit of 80 nM (17 ppb). This work manifests new sensing applications while broadening the use of spectroelectrochemistry, OTEs, and BDD as an electrode material.     

Development and Characterization of Functional Starch-Based Films Incorporating Free or Microencapsulated Spent Black Tea Extract

Antioxidant polyphenols in black tea residue are an underused source of bioactive compounds. Microencapsulation can turn them into a valuable functional ingredient for different food applications. This study investigated the potential of using spent black tea extract (SBT) as an active ingredient in food packaging. Free or microencapsulated forms of SBT, using a pectin–sodium caseinate mixture as a wall material, were incorporated in a cassava starch matrix and films developed by casting. The effect of incorporating SBT at different polyphenol contents (0.17% and 0.34%) on the structural, physical, and antioxidant properties of the films, the migration of active compounds into different food simulants and their performance at preventing lipid oxidation were evaluated. The results showed that adding free SBT modified the film structure by forming hydrogen bonds with starch, creating a less elastic film with antioxidant activity (173 and 587 µg(GAE)/g film). Incorporating microencapsulated SBT improved the mechanical properties of active films and preserved their antioxidant activity (276 and 627 µg(GAE)/g film). Encapsulates significantly enhanced the release of antioxidant polyphenols into both aqueous and fatty food simulants. Both types of active film exhibited better barrier properties against UV light and water vapour than the control starch film and delayed lipid oxidation up to 35 d. This study revealed that starch film incorporating microencapsulated SBT can be used as a functional food packaging to protect fatty foods from oxidation.     

Antiliperoxidant activity of pomegranate peel extracts on lard

Phenolics were extracted from powdered pomegranate peel using water, methanol, acetone and ethyl acetate (EtOAc), respectively. The antiliperoxidant activity of the extracts on lard was studied by peroxide value method. All the extracts showed enhanced inhibitory effect on lard peroxidation with the increase of phenolic concentrations. Acetone extract exhibited the highest antiliperoxidant activity followed by water, methanol and EtOAc extracts. Acetone extract at 0.1% (w/w) and water extract at 0.2% (w/w) demonstrated an antiliperoxidant effect close to that of tea polyphenols (0.02%, w/w) and higher than that of BHT (0.02%, w/w). At 0.2% (w/w), acetone extract showed a higher inhibitory activity on lard oxidation than that of tea polyphenols and BHT. Owing to the high antiliperoxidant property, acetone extract may have possible application in the food industry.     

Properties of Banana (Cavendish spp.) Starch Film Incorporated with Banana Peel Extract and Its Application

The objective of this study was to develop an active banana starch film (BSF) incorporated with banana peel extract. We compared the film’s properties with commercial wrap film (polyvinyl chloride; PVC). Moreover, a comparison of the quality of minced pork wrapped during refrigerated storage (7 days at ±4 °C) was also performed. The BSF with different concentrations of banana peel extract (0, 1, 3, and 5 (%, w/v)) showed low mechanical properties (tensile strength (TS): 4.43–31.20 MPa and elongation at break (EAB): 9.66–15.63%) and water vapor permeability (3.74–11.0 × 10⁻¹⁰ g mm/sm² Pa). The BSF showed low film solubility (26–41%), but excellent barrier properties to UV light. The BSF had a thickness range of 0.030–0.047 mm, and color attributes were: L* = 49.6–51.1, a* = 0.21–0.43, b* = 1.26–1.49. The BSF incorporated with banana peel extracts 5 (%, w/v) showed the highest radical scavenging activity (97.9%) and inhibitory activity of E. coli O157: H7. The BSF showed some properties comparable to the commercial PVC wrap film. Changes in qualities of minced pork were determined for 7 days during storage at ±4 °C. It was found that thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) of the sample wrapped with the BSF decreased compared to that wrapped with the PVC. The successful inhibition of lipid oxidation in the minced pork was possible with the BSF. The BSF incorporated with banana peel extract could maintain the quality of minced pork in terms of oxidation retardation.     

Pressurized Hot Water Extraction and Bio-Hydrogels Formulation with Aristotelia chilensis [Mol.] Stuntz Leaves

Aristotelia chilensis is a plant rich in phenolics and other bioactive compounds. Their leaves are discarded as waste in the maqui berry industry. A new application of these wastes is intended by the recovery of bioactive compounds using pressurized hot water extraction with conventional or microwave heating. Both technologies have been selected for their green character regarding the type of solvent and the high efficiency in shorter operation times. Extractions were performed in the temperature range 140–200 °C with a solid/liquid ratio of 1:15 (w:w). The extracts’ total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, and saccharides content obtained with both heating methods were measured. Additionally, the thermo-rheological properties of the gelling matrix enriched with these extracts were analyzed. Optimum conditions for lyophilized extracts were found with conventional heating, at 140 °C and 20 min extraction; 250.0 mg GAE/g dry extract and 1321.5 mg Trolox/g dry extract. Close to optimum performance was achieved with microwave heating in a fraction of the time (5 min) at 160 °C (extraction), yielding extracts with 231.9 mg GAE/g dry extract of total phenolics and antiradical capacity equivalent to 1176.3 mg Trolox/g dry extract. Slightly higher antioxidant values were identified for spray-dried extracts (between 5% for phenolic content and 2.5% for antioxidant capacity). The extracts obtained with both heating methods at 200 °C contained more than 20% oligosaccharides, primarily glucose. All the formulated gelling matrices enriched with the obtained extracts displayed intermediate gel strength properties. The tested technologies efficiently recovered highly active antioxidant extracts, rich in polyphenolics, and valuable for formulating gelling matrices with potential applicability in foods and other products.     

Response surface methodology (RSM) of chicken skin gelatin based composite films with rice starch and curcumin incorporation

This study aims to optimize the formulation of composite films based on chicken skin gelatin with incorporation of rice starch (10–20%, w/w) and curcumin (0.03–0.10%, w/v). The effect of their interaction on film's tensile strength (TS), elongation at break (EAB), water vapor permeability (WVP) and antioxidant properties (DPPH%) were investigated using a response surface methodology-central composite design (RSM-CCD). The optimized film formulation was further validated to indicate the validity of the prediction model. The optimum conditions of the film were selected with incorporation of rice starch at 20% (w/w) and curcumin at 0.03% (w/v). The optimized film formulation has revealed better mechanical properties with low WVP value and good antioxidant activity. The results showed that optimized composite films formulation based on chicken skin gelatin with the incorporation of rice starch and curcumin has proving good validation of model prediction and can be effectively utilized in food packaging industry.     

Photovoltaic cells using composite nanoclusters of porphyrins and fullerenes with gold nanoparticles

Novel organic solar cells have been prepared using quaternary self-organization of porphyrin (donor) and fullerene (acceptor) units by clusterization with gold nanoparticles on nanostructured SnO2 electrodes. First, porphyrin-alkanethiolate monolayer-protected gold nanoparticles (H2PCnMPC: n is the number of methylene groups in the spacer) are prepared (secondary organization) starting from the primary component (porphyrin-alkanethiol). These porphyrin-modified gold nanoparticles form complexes with fullerene molecules (tertiary organization), and they are clusterized in acetonitrile/toluene mixed solvent (quaternary organization). The highly colored composite clusters can then be assembled as three-dimensional arrays onto nanostructured SnO2 films to afford the OTE/SnO2/(H2PCnMPC+C60)m electrode using an electrophoretic deposition method. The film of the composite clusters with gold nanoparticle exhibits an incident photon-to-photocurrent efficiency (IPCE) as high as 54% and broad photocurrent action spectra (up to 1000 nm). The power conversion efficiency of the OTE/SnO2/(H2PC15MPC+C60)m composite electrode reaches as high as 1.5%, which is 45 times higher than that of the reference system consisting of the both single components of porphyrin and fullerene.     

Ag@AgI/Ni薄膜的制备及其模拟太阳光催化性能

采用电化学方法制备Ag@AgI/Ni表面等离子体薄膜催化剂,使用扫描电镜（SEM）,X射线衍射（XRD）和紫外-可见漫反射光谱（UV-Vis DRS）对薄膜的表面形貌、晶体结构、光谱特性以及能带结构进行分析表征,在模拟太阳光照射下,把罗丹明B作为模拟污染物对薄膜的光催化活性与稳定性进行评价,采用向反应体系中加入活性物种捕获剂的方法对薄膜光催化机理进行探究。结果表明：最佳工艺下制备的Ag@AgI/Ni薄膜表面是由附着少量Ag粒子的AgI纳米晶构成。薄膜具有显著的表面等离子共振作用、优异的光催化活性和突出的光催化稳定性。光催化反应60 min,薄膜对罗丹明B的降解率（81.1%）是AgI/Ni薄膜的1.35倍,是TiO₂（P25）/ITO薄膜的1.61倍。在薄膜光催化活性基本保持不变的前提下可循环使用5次。薄膜表面纳米Ag的等离子共振对光阴极反应的活化是光催化性能提高的重要原因。提出了薄膜光催化降解罗丹明B的反应机理。     

Ag@AgI/Ni薄膜的制备及其模拟太阳光催化性能

采用电化学方法制备Ag@AgI/Ni表面等离子体薄膜催化剂,使用扫描电镜(SEM),X射线衍射(XRD)和紫外-可见漫反射光谱(UV-Vis DRS)对薄膜的表面形貌、晶体结构、光谱特性以及能带结构进行分析表征,在模拟太阳光照射下,把罗丹明B作为模拟污染物对薄膜的光催化活性与稳定性进行评价,采用向反应体系中加入活性物种捕获剂的方法对薄膜光催化机理进行探究。结果表明:最佳工艺下制备的Ag@AgI/Ni薄膜表面是由附着少量Ag粒子的AgI纳米晶构成。薄膜具有显著的表面等离子共振作用、优异的光催化活性和突出的光催化稳定性。光催化反应60 min,薄膜对罗丹明B的降解率(81.1%)是AgI/Ni薄膜的1.35倍,是TiO_2(P25)/ITO薄膜的1.61倍。在薄膜光催化活性基本保持不变的前提下可循环使用5次。薄膜表面纳米Ag的等离子共振对光阴极反应的活化是光催化性能提高的重要原因。提出了薄膜光催化降解罗丹明B的反应机理。     

Layer-by-layer assembly of cationic guar gum,cellulose nanocrystals and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose based multilayered composite films

Eco-friendly sustainable materials provide an appealing template to replace contemporary synthetic-nonrenewable resource-based materials while maintaining the acceptable material properties to meet the performance requirements. Here, a layer-by-layer (LBL) self-assembly technique was used for fabricating multilayer composite films using all bio-based polymers/polysaccharides, i.e. cationic guar gum (CGg), carboxylated cellulose nanocrystals (cCNCs) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC). A five layered composite film was fabricated by depositing polymeric layers as follows: CGg→cCNCs→HPMC→cCNCs→CGg. The structural analysis of (CGg/cCNCs/HPMC)_5 L multilayered composite films indicated the existence of electrostatic interaction as well as H-bonding between polymeric layers that resulted in homogenous, dense and compact film surface with improved smoothness and strength properties. As compared to pure CGg film, the (CGg/cCNCs/HPMC)_5 L multilayered composite films showed improved tensile strength (84.8?% increment) and modulus (29.19?% improvement). Importantly, the deposition of HPMC layer contributed in achieving multilayer composite films with more flexible behavior (46.55?% improvement in elongation at break). Furthermore, owing to the high transparency (89.5?% transmittance), appreciable gas and oil barrier performance and resistance to various solvents (e.g. acetone, THF and DMAc), these multilayer films are promising candidates for various applications including renewable/sustainable packaging materials.

     

Identification of Molecules from Coffee Silverskin That Suppresses Myostatin Activity and Improves Muscle Mass and Strength in Mice

Coffee has been shown to attenuate sarcopenia, the age-associated muscle atrophy. Myostatin (MSTN), a member of the TGF-β growth/differentiation factor superfamily, is a potent negative regulator of skeletal muscle mass, and MSTN-inhibition increases muscle mass or prevents muscle atrophy. This study, thus, investigated the presence of MSTN-inhibitory capacity in coffee extracts. The ethanol-extract of coffee silverskin (CSE) but not other extracts demonstrated anti-MSTN activity in a pGL3-(CAGA)₁₂-luciferase reporter gene assay. CSE also blocked Smad3 phosphorylation induced by MSTN but not by GDF11 or Activin A in Western blot analysis, demonstrating its capacity to block the binding of MSTN to its receptor. Oral administration of CSE significantly increased forelimb muscle mass and grip strength in mice. Using solvent partitioning, solid-phase chromatography, and reverse-phase HPLC, two peaks having MSTN-inhibitory capacity were purified from CSE. The two peaks were identified as ^βN-arachinoyl−5-hydroxytryptamide (C₂₀−5HT) and ^βN-behenoyl−5-hydroxytryptamide (C₂₂−5HT) using mass spectrometry and NMR analysis. In summary, the results show that CSE has the MSTN-inhibitory capacity, and C₂₀−5HT and C₂₂−5HT are active components of CSE-suppressing MSTN activity, suggesting the potential of CSE, C₂₀−5HT, and C₂₂−5HT being developed as agents to combat muscle atrophy and metabolic syndrome.     

负偏压下Ag@AgBr/Ni膜电极光电催化降解罗丹明B的性能和机理

用电化学方法制备Ag@AgBr/Ni表面等离子体薄膜电极,以扫描电子显微镜（SEM）、X射线衍射（XRD）和紫外-可见漫反射光谱（UV-Vis DRS）对薄膜的表面形貌、晶相结构、光吸收特性进行了表征,在负偏压和可见光作用下,以罗丹明B为模拟污染物对薄膜的光催化活性和稳定性进行了测定,采用电化学技术和向溶液中加入活性物种捕获剂的方法对薄膜光电催化降解机理进行了探索。结果表明：最佳工艺下制备的Ag@AgBr/Ni膜电极是由表面沉积纳米Ag的纳米晶AgBr颗粒构成的薄膜,具有显著的表面等离子共振效应。薄膜具有优异的光电催化活性和良好的催化稳定性,在最佳负偏压和可见光照射下反应12 min,薄膜光电催化罗丹明B（c=5 mg·L^-1）的降解率是多孔TiO₂（P25）/ITO纳米薄膜的10.2倍。相对于未加偏压的光催化,降解率提高了2.0倍;在保持薄膜光催化活性基本不变的前提下可循环使用5次。电极表面纳米Ag粒子的等离子体共振对于光阴极反应（价带反应）的活化作用是光电催化活性提高的重要原因。提出了负偏压下Ag@AgBr/Ni表面等离子体薄膜光电催化降解罗丹明B的反应机理。     

负偏压下Ag@AgBr/Ni膜电极光电催化降解罗丹明B的性能和机理

用电化学方法制备Ag@Ag Br/Ni表面等离子体薄膜电极,以扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、X射线衍射(XRD)和紫外-可见漫反射光谱(UV-Vis DRS)对薄膜的表面形貌、晶相结构、光吸收特性进行了表征,在负偏压和可见光作用下,以罗丹明B为模拟污染物对薄膜的光催化活性和稳定性进行了测定,采用电化学技术和向溶液中加入活性物种捕获剂的方法对薄膜光电催化降解机理进行了探索。结果表明:最佳工艺下制备的Ag@Ag Br/Ni膜电极是由表面沉积纳米Ag的纳米晶Ag Br颗粒构成的薄膜,具有显著的表面等离子共振效应。薄膜具有优异的光电催化活性和良好的催化稳定性,在最佳负偏压和可见光照射下反应12 min,薄膜光电催化罗丹明B(c=5 mg·L~(-1))的降解率是多孔Ti O2(P25)/ITO纳米薄膜的10.2倍。相对于未加偏压的光催化,降解率提高了2.0倍;在保持薄膜光催化活性基本不变的前提下可循环使用5次。电极表面纳米Ag粒子的等离子体共振对于光阴极反应(导带反应)的活化作用是光电催化活性提高的重要原因。提出了负偏压下Ag@Ag Br/Ni表面等离子体薄膜光电催化降解罗丹明B的反应机理。     

ZnO/Ag复合膜的制备及其润湿性转换研究

利用溶胶-凝胶技术制备了ZnO/Ag复合膜. 采用X射线粉末衍射和扫描电子显微镜对其物相组成、 晶型结构以及表面形貌进行了表征, 采用接触角测试仪对其润湿性进行了表征, 并研究了紫外光照射下Ag的掺杂量对ZnO薄膜润湿性的影响. 结果表明, 当Ag掺杂量(摩尔分数)为5%时, 所得膜的润湿性转换速率最快, 紫外光照3 h后, 其润湿性由超疏水性转换为亲水性, 黑暗中放置5 d后, 亲水性再次转换为超疏水, 实现了润湿性的可逆转换.     

In-site mineralization of amorphous calcium carbonate particles: A facile and efficient approach to fabricate poly(l-lactic acid) based hybrids

The aim of this investigation is to obtain a polymer-based hybrid material with biodegradability, biocompatibility, and good mechanical properties and this object was realized via. in-situ introduction of the unmodified calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) into a poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) matrix. As verified by the measurements from scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical microscopy, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), the hybrid films which possesses a uniform dispersion of calcium carbonate CaCO₃ in nano-meter scale, mechanically robustness and thermal stability could be fabricated by a mineralization-alike process. For example, the storage modulus increases from 441 MPa of neat PLLA to 1034 MPa of hybrid film containing 2% (w/w) CaCO₃. In addition, the hybrid films display a significant improvement in its UV-exposure resistance.     

Synthesis and Characterization of a New Series of Nickel(II) meso-Tetrakis (polyfluorophenyl)porphyrins Functionalized by Pyrrole Groups and Their Electropolymerized Films

A new series of nickel(II) meso-tetrakis(polyfluorophenyl)porphyrins functionalized by pyrrole groups have been synthesized. Each new complex was isolated and characterized by (1)H NMR, (19)F NMR, IR, UV-visible spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry as well as electrochemistry. This is the first example of polyfluorinated substituted porphyrins where the four possible compounds have been obtained by functionalization of the para-fluorine substituents of the nickel(II) meso-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin. This functionalization has allowed the preparation for the first time of polyfluorinated metalloporphyrin films by oxidative electropolymerization. Electrochemical stability studies of these polymeric films have shown better stability for films derived from the monomer having four pyrrole groups because of their high degree of cross-linking degree. A large difference of electroactive solute permeation has been found in the polymeric films which have been obtained by electropolymerization of monomers for which one pyrrole group has been substituted compared to those for which four pyrrole groups have been substituted. This could be related to quite rigid polymer structures for tetrasubstituted polymer films and molecular sieving properties of monosubstituted polymer films. The spectroelectrochemistry of a polymeric film on an OTE has established that the two-electron-oxidized species are stable in the film; likewise the singly and doubly electroreduced species are stable and are more likely ligand-centered.     

Poly(caprolactone triol) as plasticizer agent for cellulose acetate films: influence of the preparation procedure and plasticizer content on the physico‐chemical properties

The influence of the plasticizer content and film preparation procedure on the morphology, density, thermal and mechanical properties of cellulose acetate (CA) films plasticized with poly‐(caprolactone triol) (PCL‐T), were studied. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermal mechanical analysis (TMA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) and infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) techniques were used. The films were prepared by dry‐casting CA and CA/PCL‐T in acetone or acetone/water solutions, which produced transparent and opaque films, respectively. In contrast to the transparent films, which were dense, the opaque films presented a porous morphology. However, the presence of PCL‐T reduced the opaque film porosity, increasing, in consequence, its bulk density. The TMA results revealed that PCL‐T reduced the glass transition temperature more significantly in the transparent than in opaque films. Only the transparent CA/PCL‐T films presented a melting temperature, that reduced with higher concentrations of PCL‐T, suggesting a higher ordering (crystallinity) when the films were prepared in the absence of water, as observed from WAXD curves. The mechanical properties also showed that the transparent films were more soft and tough than the opaque films. In summary, PCL‐T was a good plasticizer agent for CA films due to the presence of hydrogen bonds between the components (FT‐IR spectra). The presence of water in the dry casting process has a significant effect mainly on film morphology and mechanical properties. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Excited-state and photoelectrochemical behavior of pyrene-linked phenyleneethynylene oligomer

An oligophenyleneethynylene (OPE), 1,4-bis(phenyleneethynyl)-2,5-bis(hexyloxy)benzene (2), is coupled with pyrene to extend the conjugation and allow its use as a light-harvesting molecule [Py-OPE (1)]. The absorption and emission maxima of 1 are red-shifted compared to those of 2. Similar differences in the singlet and triplet excited-state properties are evident. The fluorescence yield of 2 in toluene is 0.53, which is slightly less than the value for the parent OPE (2) of 0.66. The excited singlet and triplet of 1 as characterized from transient absorption spectroscopy exhibit lifetimes of 1.07 ns and 4.0 micros, respectively, in toluene. When 1 was cast as a film on a glass electrode (OTE) and excited with a 387-nm laser pulse, we observed the formation of excitons that decayed within a few picoseconds. When 1 was cast as a film on a SnO2-modified conducting glass electrode (OTE/SnO2), a small fraction of excitons dissociated to produce a long-lived charge-separated state. The role of the SnO2 interface in promoting charge separation was inferred from the photoelectrochemical measurements. Under visible light excitation, the OTE/SnO2 electrode was capable of generating photocurrent (approximately 0.25 mA/cm2) with an incident photon conversion efficiency (IPCE) of approximately 6%.