Fabrication and characterization of CdSe quantum dots sensitized TiO2 nanotubes films and their photovoltaic properties

TiO2 nanotubes (NTs) were synthesized by hydrothermal method. The TiO2 NTs applied to make photoelectrode for CdSe quantum dots (QDs) sensitized solar cells. CdSe QDs sensitized TiO2 nanotubes were successfully prepared by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) technique. The morphology, structure and properties of prepared samples were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transition electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy. The decorated CdSe QDs expanded the photoresponse range of TiO2 NTs from ultraviolet region to 540-640 nm and the CdSe/TiO2 NTs prepared by SILAR deposition of 6 cycles exhibited the highest visible photocurrent.