Fabrication of Titanium dioxide nanorod arrays-based UV photosensor from low-concentration of Titanium (IV) butoxide with hydrochloric acid

Abstract

A novel and facile method at lowest concentration of titanium (IV) butoxide with hydrochloric acid at 150 °C temperature for 3 hours was implemented for the growth of Titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) nanorod arrays (TNAs) on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass substrate. The deposited TNAs were characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometer. Self-powered UV photosensor was designed based on photo-electrochemical cells (PEC) using the deposited TNAs as photo anodes. The performance of the fabricated UV photosensor was studied based on its photo-generated current and response under UV irradiation (365 nm). The fabricated UV photosensor displays fast response and recovery time under an ON/OFF state of UV irradiation with comparatively high sensitivity. The photosensor fabricated at the lowest 0.05 M of titanium (IV) butoxide with hydrochloric acid of TNAs exhibits photo-sensing property as photo-anodes, and can be implemented for the application of UV photosensor. Large surface area of TNAs leads to the high generation of photocurrent and shows increment in conductivity under UV irradiation.