Electrochemically synthesized CdS nanoparticle-modified TiO2 nanotube-array photoelectrodes: Preparation, characterization, and application to photoelectrochemical cells

A novel electrodeposited CdS nanoparticle-modified highly-ordered TiO2 nanotube-array photoelectrode and its application to photoelectrochemical cells is reported. Results show formation of a thin, nanoparticulate CdS layer, comprised of sphere-like 10–20 nm diameter nanoparticles, on the anodic synthesized TiO2 nanotube-array (inner diameter of 70 nm, wall thickness 25 nm and ca. 400 nm length) electrode. The resulting CdS–TiO2 photoelectrode has an as-fabricated bandgap of 2.53, and 2.41 eV bandgap after sintering at 350 °C in N2 ambient. Photoelectrochemical properties are described in detail.