Surface modification and electrophoretic deposition of materials using 2,2′-biquinoline-4,4′-dicarboxylic acid

2,2′-biquinoline-4,4′-dicarboxylic acid (BQCOOH) exhibits interesting photoluminescence and electroluminescence properties, which have motivated the development of BQCOOH films. Electrophoretic deposition method (EPD) has been developed for anodic deposition of BQCOOH. The film microstructure was governed by electrode reactions, nucleation and growth rates, and interactions of BQCOOH molecules. BQCOOH was used as a film-forming dispersant for EPD of inorganic materials such as huntite, ZnO and TiO2. The strong adsorption of BQCOOH on the inorganic particles resulted from chelating properties of BQCOOH. The results pave the way for the controlled EPD of films utilizing functional properties of BQCOOH and inorganic materials.