Electrochemical Preparation of Prussian Blue Thin Films and Investigation of Their Photoelectric Properties

Abstract

In the context of innovative education, experiments on the synthesis of Prussian blue films and investigation of their photoelectric properties are proposed to introduce the results of scientific research into comprehensive university experiments. The Prussian blue film was prepared on the surface of ITO-conductive glass by simple electrochemical polymerization methods, and the physical and chemical properties of Prussian blue film were studied by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, cyclic voltammetry, and UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, among other methods. Based on the experimental skills already acquired by the university students in chemistry experiments, we designed and built an in situ UV-Vis spectroscopy electrochemical and photocurrent test platform in combination with the existing comprehensive electrochemical experiments. Through specific experiments and by understanding the principle of mutual transformation of Prussian blue and Prussian white, the electrochromic phenomenon and photocurrent generation of Prussian blue were further understood; this stimulated students' interest in photoelectrochemical experiments and helped them expand their scientific divergent thinking and improve their experimental skills.