Three dimensional urchin-like ordered hollow TiO2/ZnO nanorods structure as efficient photoelectrochemical anode

We report a 3D ordered urchin-like hollow TiO2/ZnO nanorods structure on transparent FTO substrates that serves as photoanode for efficient photoelectrochemical anode. The ordered urchin-like TiO2/ZnO structure is prepared by a combination of colloidal spheres template, atomic layer deposition and hydrothermal growth method. Under simulated sunlight illumination, the CdS sensitized urchin-like TiOz/ZnO photoanode generates a photocurrent of 3.6 mA cm(-2) at 0 V vs Ag/AgCl, which is higher than that of either 2D TiO2/ZnO inverse opals or 1D ZnO nanowire arrays, due to its 3D structural advantages that offers higher surface area for quantum dots loading plus enhanced light scattering ability. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.