The role of glutathione on shape control and photoelectrical property of cadmium sulfide nanorod arrays

► Well-aligned CdS NRs with ∼700 nm in length were fabricated. ► The roles of each active binding group in glutathione on shape control of CdS NRs were explored. ► The role of glutathione on photoelectrical property of CdS NRs was studied. ► Solar cell performance of FTO/CdS NRs/P3HT/Au was increased after the thermal sulfuration treatment.