Ag2S/Bi2S3 co-sensitized TiO2 nanorod arrays prepared on conductive glass as a photoanode for solar cells

TiO2 nanorod arrays (TiO2 NRAs) were synthesized through a hydrothermal method. Ag2S and Bi2S3 were then grown on the surface of TiO2 NRAs with successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction method. The pristine rutile TiO2 NRAs, Ag2S/TiO2, Bi2S3/TiO2, and Bi2S3/Ag2S/TiO2 electrodes were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy, and electrochemical analysis. According to photoelectrochemical (PEC) measurement, an enhanced short circuit current density was obtained for the co-sensitized TiO2 NRAs under simulated sunlight illumination, which was 10.7 times higher than that of the TiO2 NRAs. Appropriate potential positions of conduction band and valence band of Bi2S3 that match well those of rutile TiO2 NARs and Ag2S lead to the improved PEC performance. In addition, the PEC property of the co-sensitized TiO2 NRAs under visible light irradiation was also investigated and showed a dramatically enhanced photocurrent response.