CdS quantum dots sensitized TiO2 nanotube-array photoelectrodes

Novel CdS quantum dots (QDs) sensitized TiO2 nanotube-array photoelectrodes were investigated for their photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance. The highly ordered TiO2 nanotube arrays were synthesized by anodic oxidation and CdS QDs were deposited into the pores of the nanotube arrays by a sequential chemical bath deposition method. It is found that the CdS QDs deposited in the pores of the TiO2 nanotube arrays may significantly increase the liquid junction PEC short circuit photocurrent (from 0.22 to 7.82 mA/cm(2)) and cell efficiency (up to 4.15%). These results clearly demonstrate that the unique nanotube structure can facilitate the propagation and kinetic separation of photogenerated charges, suggesting potentially important applications of the inorganic QDs sensitized TiO2 nanotube-array films in solar cell applications.