TiO2/biscyanine and CdS/biscyanine heterostructures — Influence of the structural composition on the photocatalytic activity

Abstract

This paper deals with investigation of a character of the light reflection and absorption of some newly synthesized heterostructural materials based on TiO2 or CdS semiconductors and bisquinocyanine dyes (carbocyanine and styrile). Changes in spectral parameters of the heterostructures caused by adding the dye to the semiconducting material have also been investigated. The changes in the spectra can be caused by different chromophores disposition induced by influence of the semiconductor on the electron configuration in the dye molecules. A well-known test reaction of methylene blue reduction has been used to detect the photocatalytic activity of the materials, which was found directly depending on the efficiency of the mutual influence of the components of the heterostructures. The heterostructures containing a dye, which causes more significant spectral changes, ensure higher photocatalytic activity.