CdS quantum dots sensitized solar cells based on free-standing and through-hole TiO2 nanotube arrays

Front-side illuminated solar cells with CdS quantum dots (QDs) incorporated with free-standing through-hole TiO2 nanotube arrays (TNAs) were developed. The solar cells, based on TNAs with different lengths that were sensitized by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction method (SILAR) with various cycles, have been tested. The morphology and crystalline phase of the TiO2 nanotubes were studied by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The crystallized free-standing through-hole TNAs were easily transferred to the fluorine-doped tin oxide glass to form a photoanode by slightly modifying the anodization procedure. The SILAR technique enables us to control the loading amount and particle size of CdS QDs by altering deposition cycles. The cells with TNAs ca. 20 μm long (obtained by anodization for 4 h) and 5 SILAR cycles show a photovoltaic conversion efficiency as high as 1.187% under simulated sunlight (AM 1.5, 100 mW cm(-2)).