Photoelectrochemistry of quantized WO3 colloids. Electron storage, electrochromic, and photoelectrochromic effects

Abstract

Electron storage effects in quantized WO3 colloids have been investigated by spectroelectrochemical and photochemical methods. Electrons trapped within the colloidal particles exhibit blue coloration with absorption in the red-IR region. From picosecond laser flash photolysis experiments, we estimate the rate constant for electron trapping to be 1010 s-1. These trapped electrons are stable in an inert atmosphere and can be utilized to reduce substrates such as thiazine and oxazine dyes which have reduction potentials less negative than the conduction band of WO3. The rate constants for the heterogeneous electron transfer at the semiconductor/ electrolyte interface are in the range (0.7-2.4) × 109 M-1 s-1. © 1993 American Chemical Society.