Photoelectrical properties of Ag2S quantum dot-modified TiO2 nanorod arrays and their application for photovoltaic devices.

Vertically aligned TiO(2) nanorod arrays (NRAs) modified with Ag(2)S quantum dots (QDs) have been successfully prepared via a successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) process. Ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorption spectra and surface photovoltage (SPV) measurements reveal that the Ag(2)S sensitization extends the range of the photoresponse of the TiO(2) NRAs to the visible region and exhibits higher photovoltage responses. With a polysulfide electrolyte, a maximum conversion efficiency of 0.148% with a superior J(sc) of 1.177 mA cm(-2) are obtained after 6 SILAR cycles under illumination at 100 mW cm(-2). These results indicate that the Ag(2)S QDs/TiO(2) NRAs photoelectrode has a promising application in solar cells.