Photo-induced degradation of Ru(II) complex absorbed on anatase TiO2 thin film electrode

Photo-induced degradation of a monolayer of Ru(II) complex absorbed on anatase TiO2 thin film was studied by using resonant micro-Raman spectroscopy. Under intense light radiation of a laser and in the absence of a reducing agent, the dye decomposed quickly. When the dye-sensitized TiO2 thin film electrode was covered by a reducing agent, namely the I-/I-3(-) redox couple, the photo-induced decomposing rate was slowed by a factor of similar to 10(6). In both cases, the dye decomposed with time under an exponential law.