Multiple band gap energy layered electrode for photoelectrochemical cells

Using wet chemistry, electrode of multiple band gap energy starting from wide titanium dioxide (TiO2) to narrow range cadmium selenide (CdSe) is synthesized. Complete utilization of solar spectrum by initializing the film of wide band gap energy (absorbs high energy photons) permitting to narrow band gap films (absorbs low energy photons), is explored in the manuscript. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-Vis spectrophotometer techniques were used for the structural, surface morphological and optical studies. The role of every layer of descending band gap energy on the performance of photoelectrochemical cells is demonstrated. The three layered electrode exhibits a good absorbance followed by photoresponse as compared to the bilayers. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.