Coverage control of CdSe quantum dots in the photodeposition on TiO2 for the photoelectrochemical solar hydrogen generation.

CdSe quantum dots (QDs) have successfully been formed on the TiO2 surface by the photodeposition of Se QDs and their subsequent transformation into CdSe QDs (CdSe/TiO2) (Fujishima et al., 2014). The addition of mercaptoacetic acid (MAA) in the second step of the two-step photodeposition process significantly decreases the CdSe particle size and the contact angle against the TiO2 surface to increase the TiO2-surface coverage by CdSe QDs with the particle size distribution sharpened.