Figure 7
Analyses on the dye loading process.
XPS high resolution spectra in the C 1 s region for (a) gig-lox TiO2 layer functionalized with N-719 compared to (b) N-719 powders. The comparison with the N-719 powders in (b) allows associating the contribution at 280.9 eV to the Ru 3d5/2 binding energy (the Ru 3d3/2 component is at 285.1 eV). The COO− groups, giving contributions 288.2 eV, are used as markers for the molecular anchoring on the TiO2 surface; (c) density of molecules infiltrated into the differently pre-treated TiO2 layers (gig-lox vs. ppg). Insets: photos of functionalized TiO2 glasses with the colour depending on the molecular density; N-719 molecule structure and dimensions.
