Photoinduced Electron Transfer from a Conducting Polymer to Buckminsterfullerene

• DOI: 10.1126/science.258.5087.1474
• Publication Date: 2006-10-05T23:03:06Z
• Authors: N. S. Sariciftci; L. Smilowitz; A. J. Heeger; F. Wudl
• Keywords: Photoinduced electron transfer; Buckminsterfullerene; Picosecond; Photoexcitation; Metastability; Electron acceptor

Evidence for photoinduced electron transfer from the excited state of a conducting polymer onto buckminsterfullerene, C(60), is reported. After photo-excitation conjugated with light energy greater than pi-pi* gap, an to C(60) molecule initiated. Photoinduced optical absorption studies demonstrate different excitation spectrum composite as compared separate components, consistent photo-excited charge transfer. A spin resonance signal exhibits signatures both cation and anion. Because photoluminescence in quenched by interaction data imply that occurs on picosecond time scale. The charge-separated films metastable at low temperatures.