Multilayer TiO ₂ nanorod cloth/nanorod array electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells and self-powered UV detectors

A multilayer TiO ₂ nanorod-assembled cloth/nanorod array based electrode was fabricated by transferring different layers of TiO ₂ nanorod-assembled cloth (TNRC) onto nanorod array grown on the conducting FTO substrate (titania nanorod, TNR). Combining the superior electron transport characteristics of TNR and outstanding optical properties of TNRC, the nanostructured electrode composed of two layers of TNRC meets the optimized design for high quality dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) and self-powered UV detectors. The highest efficiency of 4.02% for DSC under AM 1.5 was achieved with a high short circuit current density of 9.81 mA cm ^-2, which was proved to be owing to the enhanced dye anchoring, light scattering and reduced charge recombination. For the photoelectrochemical (PEC) UV detector, the highest quantum efficiency of over 46% was obtained and a high photocurrent response of 0.271 mA cm ^-2 was observed, together with the excellent self-powered, fast response and "visible blind" characteristics. A perfect linear response to the changed low-power signal indicates great potential for practical applications.