Functionalising nanocrystalline TiO2films: dye sensitised solar cells and optical biosensors

Abstract

The fabrication of porous, nanocrystalline titanium dioxide (TiO₂) films is considered first, and their application as dye sensitised photovoltaic devices is summarised. The electron transfer and transport dynamics within such devices is then discussed in more detail, focusing on electron transfer between the TiO₂ and the molecular dyes, and the role of intra band trap states in the TiO₂. The authors conclude by introducing a new potential application of such nanocrystalline TiO₂ films, as a substrate for enzyme immobilisation in bioanalytical devices.