Photo-induced transformations in 2,2':5',2''-terthiophene thin films on silver

We report on transient photo-induced structural changes of 2,2':5',2''-terthiophene (3T) adsorbed on silver nanoparticles. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) data show that the film thickness predetermines the eventual course of these changes. In particular, for high molecular concentrations (thick adsorbate layers), illumination leads to a photoinduced polymerization of the 3T film. For thin layers ( approximately monolayer coverage), the photoinduced spectral evolution is qualitatively different. We interpret the latter process as a cleavage of the terthiophene molecule, resulting in isolated thiophene units. Calculations of excitation energies for 3T + 3Ag+ and 1T + Ag+ revealed visible transitions, while calculated Raman frequencies indicated 1T as a possible photoproduct. As no photoinduced transformations are observed for 3T in the solid or solution phases, it is likely that the processes reported here originate in surface-enhanced charge-transfer between the Ag-surface and the organic adsorbate.