Incorporation of the TiO2 nanowire arrays photoanode and Cu2S nanorod arrays counter electrode on the photovoltaic performance of quantum dot sensitized solar cells

Due to the one-dimensional single crystal array nanostructure and large surface area ratio, the TiO 2 nanowire arrays and Cu 2 S nanorod arrays are prepared to be used as the photoanodes and counter electrodes in the quantum dot sensitized solar cells. It is observed that the diameters of TiO 2 nanowire and Cu 2 S nanorod are 80 nm and 100-150 nm, respectively. The optical absorption of TiO 2 photoanodes are obviously enhanced after the quantum dots deposition. The incident photon to current conversion efficiency spectra and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy indicate high electron transfer rate of TiO 2 nanowire arrays and good electrocatalytic activity for polysulfide reduction and charge transfer of Cu 2 S nanorod arrays. Incorporating the TiO 2 nanowire arrays photoanode and Cu 2 S nanorod arrays counter electrode, the CuInS 2 /CdS quantum dot sensitized solar cell achieves a photovoltaic power conversion efficiency of 4.13% under one-sunlight illumination, which is higher than that of the device based on TiO 2 and Cu 2 S nanoparticle films (3.53%).