Effect of the electrolyte composition on the response of a TiO2/CdS-based photoanode

LEANDRO GERBINO; BARUZZI ANA M.; IGLESIAS RODRIGO

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2014 vol. 138

ulfide solutions are the most widely selected electrolyte for the photoelectrochemical characterizationof metal chalcogenide (like CdS and CdSe) based solar cells because its good hole scavenging propertiesand improved stabilization of the semiconductor sensitizer. However, the photocurrent values of CdSsensitized TiO2 photoanodes depend on the sodium sulfide analytical concentration and pH values in theelectrolyte solution. In this report, we show that the mass transport of the sulfide hole scavenger is themain limiting process and if its concentration is lower than the HO− concentration there is a competitionfor adsorption sites onto TiO2 surface, decreasing the photocurrent value. A careful optimization of thesetwo variables it is necessary in order to attaining high overall photoelectrochemical cell efficiency.