Nanostructured Photoelectrodes via Template-Assisted Fabrication

Abstract

Nanostructured materials are crucial to the light harvesting and power conversion efficiency of solar energy conversion systems. The template-assisted fabrication method offers a versatile route to produce nanostructured materials of controlled morphology and optoelectronic properties. Toward this, self-assembled opal colloidal crystals and nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide have been used as templates to produce nanostructures of a wide range of materials with different dimensionalities and enhanced photocatalytic properties. This chapter introduces various approaches developed for producing the templates and methods of infiltrating them with the desired photoactive materials. This chapter also critically assesses the advantages and limitations of the proposed methods, and summarizes the beneficial outcomes realized using nanostructures developed through the template-assisted route for photocatalysis