Synthesis of CdSe-TiO2 nanocomposites and their applications to TiO2 sensitized solar cells.

CdSe-TiO(2) nanocomposites were synthesized via aminolysis of Ti-oleate complexes in the presence of CdSe nanocrystals, and their application as sensitizers for TiO(2) solar cells was investigated. The formation of CdSe-TiO(2) nanocomposites was confirmed using transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The emission spectrum of CdSe-TiO(2) nanocomposites revealed photoinduced charge separation at the CdSe-TiO(2) interface of the composite. The photocurrent-voltage properties of CdSe-TiO(2)-sensitized TiO(2) particle films compared favorably with those of CdSe-sensitized TiO(2) films. Evidence was also found indicating that the TiO(2) component of the composite protects CdSe against degradation during film annealing.