Fabrication of PbS Nanoparticle-Sensitized TiO₂ Nanotube Arrays and Their Photoelectrochemical Properties

TiO(2) nanotube arrays (NTAs) are modified with PbS nanoparticles by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) or electrodeposition, with an aim towards tuning the photoelectrochemical cell to the visible region. The PbS modification of the TiO(2) NTAs results in an increase in the visible light adsorption, however the increase in photocurrent is dependent on the modification method. PbS/TiO(2) NTAs prepared by SILAR and electrodeposition show, respectively, photocurrents of 11.02 and 5.72 mA/cm(2). The increase in photocurrent is attributed to enhanced charge separation efficiency and improved electron transport.