Au nanoparticle-decorated TiO2 nanorod array for plasmon-enhanced quantum dot sensitized solar cells

In present work, Au nanoparticle-decorated TiO 2 nanorod array composite structure is designed and fabricated as the working electrode of CdS sensitized quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs). The results reveal that the intensity and range of sunlight absorption, photo-generated carriers transport efficiency and overall photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) were significantly enhanced due to followed reasons: Hot electrons of Au NPs excited by plasmon effect can offer extra electrons; plasmonic effect can contribute to the extraction and separation of light-generated electrons; the deposition of Au nanoparticles could effectively optimize the interface between TiO 2 nanorod and CdS QDs. As a result, an overall PCE of 3.29% has been obtained, which shows 19.6% enhancement compared with pure TiO 2 nanorod photoanode .