A General Preparation Strategy for Hybrid TiO2 Hierarchical Spheres and Their Enhanced Solar Energy Utilization Efficiency

A new composite structure of TiO2 vertical bar ZnO:Ti vertical bar ZnO effective for improving charge separation and electron transport is demonstrated for solar energy applications. A prototype material of hybrid TiO2/ZnO hollow spheres is prepared by a hydrated-salt assisted solvothermal ( HAS) strategy. This material is applied as a photocatalyst and an anode material for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Enhanced solar energy utilization efficiencies can be observed.