Efficiency enhancement of TiO2 nanodendrite array electrodes in CuInS2 quantum dot sensitized solar cells

Abstract Single crystal three-dimensional TiO 2 nanodendrite arrays were prepared by a hydrothermal process, which were successfully sensitized with CuInS 2 quantum dots as photo-anodes to fabricate the solar cells. The UV–vis absorption and photoluminescence spectra observe that the TiO 2 nanodendrite based photo-anode structures are more efficient to improve the optical absorption properties and electron–hole separation. Electrochemical impedance spectra and photoluminescence decay analysis indicate that the TiO 2 nanodendrite based solar cells structure have higher electron injection rate. Under full sunlight illumination, the CuInS 2 quantum dot sensitized TiO 2 nanodendrite arrays exhibit a photovoltaic power conversion efficiency of 1.26%, which has great improvement of J SC comparing with that of CuInS 2 quantum dot sensitized with TiO 2 nanoparticles and nanorods.