Room temperature PbS nanoparticle growth, incubation in porous TiO2 electrode for photosensitization application

Abstract We have reported the synthesis of PbS nanoparticles using a layer-by-layer ionic adsorption and reaction method at room temperature. The structural, morphological, optical, electrical and wettability properties were characterized. PbS nanoparticles were found to be oriented along the (2 0 0) plane. These PbS nanoparticles were incubated in porous spin coated TiO 2 films of ∼1 μm thickness using the SILAR method. A change in surface wettability in terms of surface water contact angle measurement was not observed. This confirms the insertion of PbS nanopartcles into porous TiO 2 . Finally, photosensitization of the PbS incubated in porous TiO 2 electrode in sodium sulfide electrolyte (80 mW/cm 2 light intensity) was studied.