Photosensitive layers of TiO2/polythiophene composites prepared by electrodeposition

We adopted an electrophoretic deposition method for the preparation of thin layers of insoluble composite nanoparticles composed of TiO₂ core and about 2 nm thick shell of polythiophene, prepared by oxidative polymerization of thiophene. The reduced form of TiO₂-polythiophene composite material was deposited on the conductive surface from an ultrasonically generated microdispersion. Varying the dispersion media, applied voltage and the electrode arrangement made it possible to control the quality and morphology of the films. Compact semitransparent films deposited on ITO electrodes, suitable for photoelectrical measurements, were obtained within short deposition times.