Electrodeposition of C-60 cluster aggregates on nanostructured SnO2 films for enhanced photocurrent generation

Clusters of C-60 formed in acetonitrile (ACN)/toluene solutions are deposit ed as thin films on nanostructured SnO2 electrodes under the influence of a n electric field. These films exhibit remarkable photoelectrochemical activ ity under visible light excitation. The photocurrent observed with these no vel electrodes (similar to 0.14 mA/cm(2) obtained with visible light excita tion, lambda > 425 nm, 130 mW/cm(2)) is 2-3 orders of magnitude larger than previously reported values for a fullerene system, Direct electron transfe r between the excited C-60 clusters deposited on SnO2 nanocrystallites and the redox couple (I-3(-)/I-) in solution is responsible for the enhanced ph otocurrent generation.