Synthesis of CdSe-TiO2 Nanocomposites and Their Applications to TiO2 Sensitized Solar Cells

CdSe-TiO2 nanocomposites were synthesized via aminolysis of Ti-oleate complexes in the presence of CdSe nanocrystals, and their application as sensitizers for TiO2 solar cells was investigated. The formation of CdSe-TiO2 nanocomposites was confirmed using transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The emission spectrum of CdSe-TiO2 nanocomposites revealed photoinduced charge separation at the CdSe-TiO2 interface of the composite. The photocurrent-voltage properties of CdSe-TiO2-sensitized TiO2 particle films compared favorably with those of CdSe-sensitized TiO2 films. Evidence was also found indicating that the TiO2 component of the composite protects CdSe against degradation during film annealing.