Photoelectrodes with titanate nanotubes sensitized by mesoporphyrin derivative from cashew nut shell

ABSTRACT Titanate nanotubes (TiNTs) with the chemical composition Na2Ti3O7.nH2O (NaTiNT) were obtained through a hydrothermal method in highly alkaline medium. Protonated titanates nanotubes (H-TiNTs), with the composition H2Ti3O7.nH2O, were prepared by ion exchange reaction through a suspension of Na2Ti3OγnH2O nanotubes in HCl medium, promoting the exchange of Na+ ions by H+. Both Na2Ti3O7.nH2O and H2Ti3O7.nH2O products, as well the TiO2 used as raw material for the nanotubes processing, were used as starting material for the solar cells photoelectrodes sensitized using mesoporphyrin extract...