The photoelectrochemical behaviors of the SnO~2 nanostructured porous film sensitized by cyanine dye were 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 show that the excitation state level matches the conduction band edge of SnO~2 nanoparticle. Therefore the sensitization of this dye can increase the photocurrent intensity of SnO~2 nanostructured electrode obviously and results in a red-shift of optical absorption from the ultra-violet region to the visible and near infrared region. As a result, the light-to-electricity conversion efficiency is improved evidently and the maximum value of IPCE has reached 45.7%.

Key words: TIN DIOXIDE, MEMBRANE ELECTRODES, PHOTO-ELECTROCHEMISTRY, CYCLOVOLTAMGRAPH, DYES, SENSITIZATION