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N-doped graphene quantum dots-functionalized titanium dioxide nanofibers and their highly efficient photocurrent response

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 July 2014

Xiaotian Wang ,
Dandan Ling ,
Yueming Wang ,
Huan Long ,
Yibai Sun ,
Yanqiong Shi ,
Yuchao Chen ,
Yao Jing ,
Yueming Sun  and
Yunqian Dai
Xiaotian Wang*
Affiliation:
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211189, People’s Republic of China
Dandan Ling
Affiliation:
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211189, People’s Republic of China
Yueming Wang*
Affiliation:
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211189, People’s Republic of China
Huan Long
Affiliation:
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211189, People’s Republic of China
Yibai Sun*
Affiliation:
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211189, People’s Republic of China
Yanqiong Shi
Affiliation:
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211189, People’s Republic of China
Yuchao Chen
Affiliation:
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211189, People’s Republic of China
Yao Jing
Affiliation:
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211189, People’s Republic of China
Yueming Sun
Affiliation:
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211189, People’s Republic of China
Yunqian Dai*
Affiliation:
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211189, People’s Republic of China
*
a) Address all correspondence to these authors. email: Sun@seu.edu.cn
b) email: Daiy@seu.edu.cn
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Abstract

Titanium dioxide (TiO2), a widely used inorganic semiconductor owing to its superb photoelectric properties, has frequently been fabricated into composites to reduce its relatively large band gap and overcome its limited visible light absorption. In this article, a “layer-by-layer” method has been developed to prepare the composite structure of nitrogen (N)-doped graphene quantum dots (GQDs)-sensitized TiO2 nanofibers. The as-prepared structure shows considerable luminescence and exhibits excellent photoelectric properties. Various factors including the crystalline phase of TiO2, amount of N in GQDs, and irradiation wavelength were investigated to find the optimal conditions for enhanced photoelectric activity. It is demonstrated that the combination of highest N amount GQDs with TiO2 nanofibers of mixed phases (750 °C-sintered TiO2 nanofibers) possess the best photoelectric properties. The enhancement of properties using TiO2 nanofibers with mixed phases mainly contributes to the transfer of electrons between conduction bands of different phases in TiO2 and the distinctive photoluminescence (PL) property of N-GQDs. Furthermore, this enhancement can be achieved in most areas of the visible light range. The general mechanism of the electron generation and transfer of the structure is based on the normal PL and upconversion PL property of N-GQDs which serve as the sensitizer. We consider it a feasible method to improve the photoelectric conversion efficiency in photovoltaic devices.

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Type
Articles
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Journal of Materials Research , Volume 29 , Issue 13 , 14 July 2014 , pp. 1408 - 1416
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2014 

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