An investigation of Cu(I) acetylide films on copper electrodes

Films of copper phenylacetylide (CuPA) have been grown by electrochemical corrosion on a copper substrate. The smooth adherent polymer films prepared in this way are photosensitive and they have been examined in alkaline solutions by photocurrent spectroscopy. The polymer coated copper electrodes give rise to anodic and cathodic photocurrents, and the monochromatic photocurrent conversion efficiency at 460 nm exceeds 10−2. The cathodic photocurrents are increased by the presence of oxygen. Possible mechanisms for energy and charge transfer in the polymer films are discussed.