The structure and photovoltaic properties of double-shell TiO2/ZnSe/CdSe nanocable arrays synthesized by using TiO2/ZnO nanocables template

• The ZnSe/CdSe/TiO2 nanocable arrays were synthesized.
• The TiO2/ZnSe/CdSe double shell electrode shown better photovoltaic performance.
• A stepwise band alignment structure was constructed in the TiO2/ZnSe/CdSe electrode.
• A highest power conversion efficiency of 1.33% has been obtained.

A simple method was reported for the first time to synthesize ZnSe/CdSe co-sensitized TiO2 nanorod arrays. TiO2/ZnO nanocables were firstly prepared by magnetic sputtering ZnO films on TiO2 nanorod arrays, and the TiO2/ZnSe nanocables were synthesized by selenization of TiO2/ZnO nanocables with Se2− ions. Finally, CdSe quantum dots (QDs) were electrodeposited on the TiO2/ZnSe nanocables forming a TiO2/ZnSe/CdSe tri-layer configuration. It is found that the tri-layer photoelectrode has a complementary effect in the light absorption, while the ZnSe shell acts as a blocking layer to retarding the interfacial recombination. Furthermore, a stepwise band alignment structure was constructed in the TiO2/ZnSe/CdSe electrode, which greatly speeds up the transfer rate of photoexcited electrons from CdSe to TiO2. Thus, the TiO2/ZnSe/CdSe electrode presented better photovoltaic performance than the single shell. Through optimization the thickness of ZnSe layer in the TiO2/ZnSe/CdSe photoelectrode, a highest power conversion efficiency of 1.33% was obtained.

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