CdS and PbS nanoparticles co-sensitized TiO2 nanotube arrays and their enhanced photoelectrochemical property

• Published in: Applied surface science Vol. 315; pp. 149 - 153
• Main Authors: Zhu, Yanmei, Wang, Renliang, Zhang, Wenping, Ge, Haiyan, Li, Li
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.10.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Anodization; Arrays; Cadmium sulfides; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Density; Exact sciences and technology; Nanoparticles; Nanostructure; Photoelectrochemical property; Physics; Semiconductors; Successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction; Surface chemistry; TiO2 nanotube array; Titanium dioxide; Successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction; TiO2 nanotube array; Photoelectrochemical property; Anodization; Inorganic compounds; Semiconductor materials; Transition element compounds; Nanotubes; Lead sulfide; Cadmium sulfide; Nanoparticles; Anodizing; TiO; Titanium oxide; Arrays; nanotube array
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2014.07.116

•TiO2 nanotube arrays co-sensitized with CdS and PbS nanoparticles were prepared.•CdS and PbS nanoparticles with diameter of 20nm were deposited on TiO2 NTs by SILAR method.•The TiO2 NTs/CdS/PbS exhibited high visible light adsorption, photocurrent density, and the photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic activity. TiO2 nanotube arrays co-sensitized with CdS and PbS nanoparticles (TiO2 NTs/CdS/PbS) were successfully fabricated by a two-step process of anodization followed by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) technique. The CdS and PbS nanoparticles grew uniformly on the walls of the TiO2 nanotubes in sequence, and the surface morphology, structure and photoelectrochemical performance of TiO2 NTs/CdS/PbS were investigated and discussed. The results show that the co-sensitization results in an increase in the visible light adsorption, photocurrent density, and photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic activity toward degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB). The corresponding mechanism of the TiO2 NTs/CdS/PbS for improving the photoelectrochemical property is tentatively proposed. Co-sensitization of TiO2 NTs by two semiconductors will be an effective way for the development of other high-performance energy-providing materials.