Fabrication of transparent TiO2 nanotube-based photoanodes for CdS/CdTe quantum co-sensitized solar cells

[摘要] In order to fabricate a solar cell, ordered TiO2nanotube (TNT) arrays were prepared by double anodization. TNT arrays with variable lengths were obtained by changing the duration of the anodizing process of up to 3h. TNT membranes were transferred to indium tin oxide substrates and attached with a B-TiO2sol. TNT photoanode with the best photoelectrochemical performance was sensitized with CdS by SILAR method. On other hand, CdTe quantum dots prepared via colloidal synthesis were deposited on TNT photoanodes for 2h, 4h and 6h. In addition, TNT/CdS was loaded with CdTe quantum dots for 4 h. Morphology and chemical modification of TiO2were characterized by FESEM and XPS, while their photoelectrochemical performance was measured by open-circuit photopotential and photovoltammetry under visible light. TiO2nanotubes grown during 2.5h showed the highest photocurrent due to presence of Ti3+donor states by N and F co-doping, increasing the number of photogenerated electrons transported to back collector. TNT/CdS/CdTe photoanode reach the highest conversion efficiency under AM 1.5G simulated solar illumination.

[发布机构] Universidad Industrial de Santander, CMN, Piedecuesta-Santander, Colombia^1

[效力级别] 化学

[关键词] Anodizing process;CdTe quantum dots;Colloidal synthesis;Indium tin oxide substrates;Photoelectrochemical performance;Photogenerated electrons;Sensitized solar cells;Solar illumination