Nanocrystalline carbon–TiO2 hybrid hollow spheres as possible electrodes for solar cells

Nanocrystalline C-doped TiO2 hybrid hollow spheres were prepared by solvothermal synthesis by controlling calcinations of mixtures of furfural, chitosan or saccharose with titanium isopropoxide. The origin of the carbon influences the texture, the crystalline framework, and the optical and photoelectrochemistry properties of the TiO2. The results indicate that the carbon–TiO2 hybrid hollow spheres may be used as TiO2-based film electrodes for use in solar cells.