Growth of core-shell quantum dots/titanium dioxide hybrid films as photoanode for Graetzel cells

• Controlled growth of ZnSe/ZnS core/shell semiconductor by LASiS
• NP dimensions were controlled by measurements of optical absorption during laser irradiation.
• We obtain quantum dots, with a ZnS core and a ZnSe shell and radius dimensions of about 12 nm.
• QDs/TiO2 hybrid films were grown by spray-dry methods.
• The efficiency of hybrid photoanode is about 25% higher than classic organic dye/anatase.

In this work, we illustrated a method for controlled growth of ZnSe/ZnS core/shell semiconductor and their insertion in a TiO2 anatase bulk. Core/shell quantum dots were grown by Laser Ablation in Solution followed by heating and sonication phases. Shape and dimensions of nanoparticles were controlled by measurements of optical absorption during laser irradiation. The obtained quantum dots, with a ZnS core and a ZnSe shell and radius dimensions of about 12 nm, were spray-dried in film of anatase grains and characterized as photoanode for application on Graetzel cells. The efficiency of our hybrid photoanode is about 25% higher than classic organic dye/anatase.