Photoelectric organic nano-thin films prepared from diarylethene

A photoactive nano-film was prepared from a diarylethene derivative, 1,2-bis[6-(3,4-ethylenedioxythienyl)-2-methyl-1-benzothiophen-3-yl]perfluorocyclopentene (BTFTT) and 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT), by electrochemical anodic polymerization. The conductive polymer films prepared from a copolymer of BTFTT and EDOT, a homopolymer of PBTFTT and PEDOT, showed characteristic redox properties pertinent to their monomers and homopolymers as determined by cyclic voltammetry (CV). The growth of organic films was estimated by an alpha-step and UV–visible spectral change. The film growth (thickness) was linearly correlated to the cycle numbers in CV for the electropolymerization. The electrodeposited organic nano-film showed a reversible photocurrent switching effect in a liquid electrolyte solution containing redox couple (Q/H₂Q) by the alternative UV irradiation (0.1 W/cm⁻²). Maximum photocurrent switching efficiency as well as fast response were obtained from the polymer film synthesized from a solution containing equivalent molar concentration of EDOT and BTFTT (1:1).