Photoelectrochemical synthesis of AgTCNQ microrods through a bipolar mechanism

• A photoelectrochemical method is proposed for the synthesis of AgTCNQ microrods.
• A bipolar mechanism involves cooperative effect or coupling processes.
• No external circuit makes the photoelectrochemical system simpler.

Silver-7, 7, 8, 8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (AgTCNQ) microrods are synthesized through the photoelectrochemical catalysis of TiO2 nanoparticles. When illuminated by UV light, Ag nanoclusters deposit on TiO2 nanoparticles dispersed in the AgNO3/alcohol solution. When illuminated by visible light, the metallic Ag on TiO2 nanoparticles will dissolve in the solution as Ag+ while the released electron will be accepted by TCNQ to form TCNQ−. Consequently, AgTCNQ microrods are obtained through a photoinduced bipolar mechanism, which is valuable in the chemical synthesis involving cooperative effect or coupling processes.

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