Spectral sensitization of titanium dioxide electrodes via Ru-based chalcogenides thin layers

Abstract

Thin layers of an inorganic sensitizer based on ruthenium centers were chemically deposited on semiconducting n-TiO2 electrodes. The compound of global formula RuSO was obtained when reacting the transition metal carbonyl compound and elemental sulphur in xylene solvent. Electron injection from conduction band of the novel compound (energy gap ca. 1.8 eV) to the conduction band of TiO2 (rutile) single crystal or (anatase) porous electrodes was observed. Regeneration of holes occurred by electron transfer from electron donors in the electrolyte. The catalytic effect of bare and modified TiO2 electrodes via the inorganic sensitizer for molecular oxygen reduction is discussed. © 1994.