Fabrication of CuInS_2 Sensitized TiO_2 Nanorod Arrays for Photovoltaic Devices

Vertically oriented single-crystalline TiO2 nanorod arrays sensitized with CuInS2 quantum dots(QDs) were synthesized directly on fluorine-doped tin oxide(FTO) substrates by two-step solvothermal method.The as-prepared nanostructure assembly was characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD) and scanning electron microscope(SEM).The results indicated that CuInS2 QDs were uniformly covered on the surface of the single-crystalline TiO2 nanorods.Ultraviolet visible(UV-Vis) absorption spectra showed that the absorbance of the TiO2/CuInS2 nanocomposite film was extended to the visible region.Under illumination of simulated AM 1.5 G(100 mW/cm2) at one sun intensity,the QD sensitized solar cells(QD-SSCs) assembled with FTO/TiO2/CuInS2 photoelectrodes exhibited an open-circuit voltage of 0.29 V and a short-circuit current density of 0.15 mA/cm2.