Low temperature growth of rutile titanium dioxide nanorod arrays using a novel facile method for UV photosensor application

Abstract

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanorod arrays (TNAs) were deposited on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) coated glass substrate via a novel and facile method at the lowest deposition temperature of 110 °C for 3 hours, and characterized via fiel-demission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometer. Self-powered UV photosensor was assembled according to photo-electrochemical cells (PEC) structure using the deposited TNAs as photoanodes. The fabricated UV photosensor was then studied for its electrical property. The fabricated UV photosensor exhibits fast response with high sensitivity under UV irradiation. A distinct ON/OFF ratio of the fabricated PEC structure also exhibits photo-sensing property as photo-anode, and can be implemented for the application of UV photosensor. The large contact area of the TNAs/electrolyte interface leads to the generation of photocurrent and exhibits improvement in conductivity.