International Journal of Photoenergy 
Volume 6 (2004), Issue 1, Pages 29-33
doi:10.1155/S1110662X04000054

Photostability of J -aggregates adsorbed on TiO2 nanoparticles and AFM imaging of J -aggregates on a glass surface

Mohamed M. S. Abdel-Mottaleb,1,3 Mark Van der Auweraer,1 and Mohamed S. A. Abdel-Mottaleb2

 1Molecular Dynamics and Spectroscopy, Department of Chemistry, Katholic University of Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, Heverlee B3001, Belgium
2Photoenergy Center, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo, Egypt
3Department Organic Chemistry II (Organic Chemistry and Combinatorial Chemistry), University of Ulm, Alber-Einstein-Allee 11, Ulm D-89081, Germany

Abstract

Spectral properties and photostability of the 5,5’-6,6‘-tetrachloro-1,1‘-dioctyl-3,3‘-bis-(3-carboxypropyl)- benzimidacarbocyanine (Dye 1) J-aggregate was investigated in solution and upon adsorption on TiO2 nano-particles. Dye 1 was found to photodegrade on the surface of TiO2. Additionally, the self-assembly of Dye 1 was studied on a glass surface by non-contact atomic force microscopy (NCAFM). The dye molecules form a well-defined fiber like structure that extends for tens of micrometers. The internal structure of the fibers was clearly resolved and showed a number of small tubes wrapped around each other to form a helical structure.