Improvement in the photoelectrochemical responses of PCBM/TiO(2 )electrode by electron irradiation

The photoelectrochemical (PEC) responses of electron-irradiated [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM)/TiO(2 )electrodes were evaluated in a PEC cell. By coating PCBM on TiO(2 )nanoparticle film, the light absorption of PCBM/TiO(2 )electrode has expanded to the visible light region and improved the PEC responses compared to bare TiO(2 )electrode. The PEC responses were further improved by irradiating an electron beam on PCBM/TiO(2 )electrodes. Compared to non-irradiated PCBM/TiO(2 )electrodes, electron irradiation increased the photocurrent density and the open-circuit potential of PEC cells by approximately 90% and approximately 36%, respectively at an optimum electron irradiation condition. The PEC responses are carefully evaluated correlating with the optical and electronic properties of electron-irradiated PCBM/TiO(2 )electrodes.