Abstract: The photoelectrochemical behavior of the TiO₂ nanostructured porous film sensitized by pentamethylcyanine dye was investigated. The ground state level and the excited state level of the dye were determined by using the cyclic voltammetry and the optical absorption spectroscopy. The results showed that the excitation state level matched the conduction band edge of TiO₂ nanoparticle. Therefore, the sensitization of this dye can increase the photocurrent intensity of TiO₂ nanostructured electrode obviously and results in a red shift of optical absorption from the ultra violet region to the visible and near infra red region. As a result, the light-to-electricity conversion efficiency was improved evidently.

Key words: Dye sensitization, TiO₂ nanostructured porous film electrode, Photoelectrochemisty, Light-to-electricity conversion