Enhanced photoelectrochemical performance of TiO2 nanorod array films based on TiO2 compact layers synthesized by a two-step method

An innovative two-step method perfectly prepared TCLs with different thicknesses, and then the TNA films based on TCLs were successfully prepared. The effects of different thicknesses of TCLs on the morphology and photoelectrochemical performance of TNA films were investigated. The results indicated that TCLs with appropriate thickness could effectively improve the morphology and photoelectrochemical performance of TNA films. Compared with the TNA films based on TCL5, TCL10 and TCL30, the TNA film based on TCL20 exhibited more ideal and comprehensive photoelectrochemical performance. Moreover, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) based on this TNA film achieved the highest Jsc (10.2054 mA cm−2), Voc (0.5737 V), PCE (3.3%) and Pout (3.31 mW cm−2).