The photoelectrochemical properties of TiO 2 electrodes modified by quantum sized PbS and thiols

Abstract

Photoelectrochemical electrodes have been prepared by chemical deposit of quantum sized PbS particles (Q-PbS) on TiO 2 nanocrystalline films and followed by the modification of such electrodes with thiols. The photoelectrochemical properties have been studied. The results show that Q-PbS modified TiO 2 electrodes generate photocurrent as high as 542.5 μA/cm 2 under irradiation of a 400 nm light, but it undergoes photodegradation. The modification with thiols leads to an improvement in terms of increased photostability, although the photocurrent decreases due to the resistance brought about by the carbon chains of thiols.