Thiolate capped noble metal particles as novel sensitizers for solar cells

MPA (3-Mercaptopropionic acid) capped noble metal particles (Ag, Au) are studied in this project as sensitizers for solar cells. TiO₂ nanotube arrays were fabricated via etching anodization method. The MPA capped noble metal sensitizer was deposited onto the surface of the TNAs using in-situ hydrothermal method. Different initial molar ratios of Ag and Au were investigated. The specimens were characterized using FE-SEM, HRTEM, XRD, XPS and UV-vis spectroscopy. Photoelectrochemical measurements, including J-V curves, stability test and electron lifetime assessment, were conducted to examine the performance of the sensitized TiO₂ materials. It is found that the Ag (0) @ Ag (+) - MPA nanocluster showed the best performance in light energy conversion. Better stability was also achieved compared to previous works.