Solvent-switchable photoelectrochemistry in the presence of CdS-nanoparticle/acrylamide hydrogels

The solvent-induced switchable photoelectrochemical function of a CdS nanoparticle/polacrylamide composite hydrogel was demonstrated. The CdS/polymer composites were prepared on Au quartz piezoelectric crystals allowing their microgravimetric and quartz crystal microbalance analysis. Results showed that the photocurrents originating from the CdS monolayer associated electrode were much higher than those resulting from the CdS-nanoparticle/polymer-functionalized electrodes. This implies that the photocurrents originate form the CdS nanoparticles in intimate contact with the electrode support, in the latter electrodes.