Quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSCs) constructed using cascade CdS/CdSe sensitizers and the novel tetrapod-like ZnO nanoparticles have been fabricated. The cascade co-sensitized QDSCs manifested good electron transfer dynamics and overall power conversion efficiency, compared to single CdS- or CdSe-sensitized cells. The preliminary CdS layer is not only energetically favorable to electron transfer but behaves as a passivation layer to diminish the formation of interfacial defects during CdSe synthesis. On the other hand, the anisotropic tetrapod-like ZnO nanoparticles, with a high electron diffusion coefficient, can afford a better carrier transport than traditional ZnO nanoparticles. The resultant solar cell yielded an excellent performance with a solar power conversion efficiency of 4.24% under simulated one sun (AM1.5G, 100 mW cm(-2)) illumination.

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Heterojunction photovoltaic devices consisting of hybrid p-type organic Cu-phthalocyanine and inorganic n-type Al2O3 nanoparticle-coated aligned ZnO nanorods were fabricated. With microwave treatment, an interaction occurred between the Al2O3 and ZnO, as evidenced from TEM image. This interaction shifts the absorption peak of the aligned nanorods from the UV region to visible light and subsequently causes more charge generation. For 5 mol% Al2O3 nanoparticle-coated aligned ZnO nanorods treated with microwaves of 600 W for 300 sec, the maximum incident photon to electron conversion and energy conversion efficiencies under simulated sunlight of AM1.5G (10 mW/cm2) are 0.036 mA and 1.32%, respectively.