Fabrication of PbS Nanoparticle-Sensitized TiO₂ Nanotube Arrays and Their Photoelectrochemical Properties

Abstract

TiO(2) nanotube arrays (NTAs) are modified with PbS nanoparticles by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) or electrodeposition, with an aim towards tuning the photoelectrochemical cell to the visible region. The PbS modification of the TiO(2) NTAs results in an increase in the visible light adsorption, however the increase in photocurrent is dependent on the modification method. PbS/TiO(2) NTAs prepared by SILAR and electrodeposition show, respectively, photocurrents of 11.02 and 5.72 mA/cm(2). The increase in photocurrent is attributed to enhanced charge separation efficiency and improved electron transport.

Fabrication of high-performance CuInSe2 nanocrystals-modified TiO2 NTs for photocatalytic degradation applications

“…4. Such a catalytic efficiency is satisfactory as compared to the previous research [5,46]. Under identical conditions, the CuInSe 2 /TiO 2 NTs show much higher activity than TiO 2 NTs, as illustrated in Fig.…”

Constructing ternary CdS/reduced graphene oxide/TiO 2 nanotube arrays hybrids for enhanced visible-light-driven photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic activity

“…Recently, coupling of the anodized TNTs with narrow band gap semiconductors, such as CdS [13][14][15][16], CdSe [17][18][19], and PbS [20][21][22], have been utilized to improve the photoresponse of TNTs in the visible light region. Under visible light irradiation, these narrow band gap semiconductors can act as sensitizers and facilitate the photoexcited electrons flow from their CB to the CB of TNTs due to that the CB of these semiconductors is higher than that of TNTs, therefore assisting charge separation and improving visible-light-driven PC activity of the TNTs based nanocomposites.…”

Has the Sun Set on Quantum Dot-Sensitized Solar Cells?

“…Successive ion layer adsorption and reaction is a relatively simple process in which the nanotube array was soaked for one minute in 1mM lead acetate solution in methanol, rinsed with methanol, soaked in 1mM sodium sulphide solution in methanol for one minute and then rinsed again [32,60]. Lead cations that adsorbed to the surface of the nanotubes during the first step are reacted with sulphur anions in the third step to nucleate PbS quantum dots.…”