LAUSR

Abstract Multiporphyrin arrays are large, π-conjugated chromophores with high absorption efficiency and strong chemical stability that play an important role in supramolecular and advanced material sciences. Palladium-directed self-assembly of multiporphyrin array ultrathin films was achieved on substrate surfaces using oxo[5,10,15,20-tetra(4-pyridyl)porphyrinato]titanium (IV) complex [TiO(TPyP)] as a linker and sodium tetrachloropalladate (Na 2 PdCl 4 ) as a connector. The Pd-TiOTPyP films as prepared were characterized by using UV–vis absorption and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, as well as by atomic force and scanning electron microscopy. The Soret absorption band of TiOTPyP was observed to red shift by 6 nm when the Pd-TiOTPyP multilayer-modified quartz substrate was immersed in an aqueous solution containing hydrogen peroxide. This was attributed to the formation of a TiO 2 TPyP monoperoxo complex. This oxidation reaction could be accelerated in an acidic solution. Furthermore, the immobilized Pd-TiOTPyP multilayers could act as light-harvesting units for photocurrent generation and photochromism of viologens, with strong stability, reproducibility, and recyclability. The photocurrent density could be enhanced in electrolyte solutions containing electron donors such as triethanolamine, or electron acceptors such as viologens. Finally, photoinduced reduction (photochromism) of viologens was investigated using the Pd-TiOTPyP multilayers as light sensitizers and EDTA as the electron donors.