A single centre water splitting dye complex adsorbed on rutile TiO{sub 2}(110): Photoemission, x-ray absorption, and optical spectroscopy
A single centre water splitting dye complex (aqua(2,2'-bipyridyl-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid)-(2,2':6',6''-terpyridine)Ruthenium(II)), along with a related complex ((2,2'-bipyridyl-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid)-(2,2':6',6''-terpyridine)chloride Ruthenium(II)), has been investigated using photoemission and compared to molecules with similar structures. Dye molecules were deposited in situ using ultra-high vacuum electrospray deposition, which allows for the deposition of thermally labile molecules, such as these dye molecules. Adsorption of the dye molecules on the rutile TiO{sub 2}(110) surface has been studied using core-level and valence photoemission. Core-level photoemission spectra reveal that each complex bonds to the surface via deprotonation of its carboxylic acid groups. A consideration of the energy level alignments reveals that both complexes are capable of charge transfer from the adsorbed molecules to the conduction band of the rutile TiO{sub 2} substrate.