Synthesis of Coupled Semiconductor by Filling 1D TiO₂Nanotubes with CdS

Abstract

A coupled semiconductor material is prepared by filling one-dimensional (1D) titania (TiO 2 ) nanotubes (NTs) with cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanoparticles (NPs). Self-assembled TiO 2 NTs (length = 550 nm, diameter = 80 nm) are prepared by the sonoelectrochemical anodization method. These NTs are functionalized with CdS NPs by a single-step electrodeposition method. This material harvests solar light in UV as well as visible light (up to 510 nm) region. An eight to 9-fold enhancement in photoactivity is observed using CdS functionalized TiO 2 NTs compared to pure TiO 2 NTs and commercial P25 NPs. This methodology will be useful in designing multijunction semiconductor materials confined inside 1D nanochannels.