Performance enhancement of NiTsPc based photo sensor using treated TiO2 NPs film

Abstract

We report the dye-sensitized photo sensors fabricated by utilizing a water soluble organic photo sensitizer, Nickel (II) phthalocyanine-tetrasulfonic acid tetrasodium salt (NiTsPc). To fabricate the sensors, two different types of TiO2 films (untreated and NaOH treated) have been prepared to serve as anodes. Both the TiO2 films were subsequently sensitized by the NiTsPc aqueous solution. Commercially available, Iodolyte Z100 has been used as an electrolyte, whereas platinum-coated ITO has been used as a cathode. The NaOH-treated sensor showed 2.81 times increase in photo-conductivity sensitivity as compared to the untreated sensor. Both sensors showed a fairly good and rapid response. The NaOH-treated sensor, however, surpassed the other sensor in terms of response/recovery times and stability in plateau values of the photocurrent. The proposed photo sensors are eco-friendly and economical to manufacture as well.