Preparation and optoelectronic properties of N,N′-diphenyl-N,N′-bis(3-methylphenyl)-(1,l′-biphenyl)-4,4′-diamine/TiO2 nanostructured hybrids

Organic–inorganic nanostructured hybrids based on N,N′-diphenyl-N,N′-bis(3-methylphenyl)-(1,l′-biphenyl)-4,4′-diamine (MTPD) and anatase TiO2 were prepared via layer-by-layer deposition method. The MTPD/TiO2 hybrids were characterized by UV–Vis absorption spectra, photoconductivity measurements, and surface photovoltage spectra (SPS). Due to the change of the aggregated structure caused by the addition of TiO2, MTPD showed blue-shifted absorption spectrum. The photosensitivity of MTPD/TiO2 nanostructured hybrids was increased by two times when compared with that of its single component. Studies on the SPS revealed that the efficient light-induced charge separation and transfer between MTPD and TiO2 was responsible for the improved photosensitivity. The MTPD/TiO2 hybrids exhibited high photosensitivity to ultraviolet light with weak intensity and acceptable stability under ultraviolet radiation, which endow the hybrids potential applications in the field of ultraviolet photodetection.