Three-Dimensional Ordered ZnO/Cu₂O Nanoheterojunctions for Efficient Metal–Oxide Solar Cells

Abstract

Interface modulation for broad-band light trapping and efficient carrier collection has always been the research focus in solar cells, which provides the most effective way to achieve performance enhancement. In this work, solution-processed 3D ordered ZnO/Cu2O nanoheterojunctions, consisting of patterned n-ZnO nanorod arrays (NRAs) and p-Cu2O films, are elaborately designed and fabricated for the first time. By taking advantage of nanoheterojunctions with square patterned ZnO NRAs, solar cells demonstrate the maximum current density and efficiency of 9.89 mA cm(-2) and 1.52%, which are improved by 201% and 127%, respectively, compared to that of cells without pattern. Experimental analysis and theoretical simulation confirm that this exciting result originates from a more efficient broad-band light trapping and carrier collection of the 3D ordered ZnO/Cu2O nanoheterojunctions. Such 3D ordered nanostructures will have a great potential application for low-cost and all oxide solar energy conversion. Furthermore, the methodology applied in this work can be also generalized to rational design of other efficient nanodevices and nanosystems.

3D hierarchical walnut-like CuO nanostructures: Preparation, characterization and their efficient catalytic activity for CO oxidation

“…Electrochemical process [7], template method [8], microwave-activated approaches [9], nanosphere lithography [10,11] and electrospinning process [12] are widely used to synthesize MOSMs. With the development of nanotechnologies and synthesis routes, by tuning the materials with micro/nanostructures, the properties of MOSMs as well as their applications can be greatly expanded.…”

Design and tailoring of patterned ZnO nanostructures for energy conversion applications

“…Owing to the light scattering effect, the patterned ZnO NAs show wide absorbance bands com- device from the substrate side [89]. As can be seen from Fig.…”

“…Patterned ZnO NAs were also applied in the ZnO/Cu 2 O heterojunction solar cells [89]. Generally, the contact area between ZnO and Cu 2 O and the carrier recombination in the materials greatly limited the current density, which further reduced the performance of the solar cells [110][111][112].…”

“…The Cu 2 O films based on the no pattern, line-patterned, and squarepatterned ZnO NAs have different grain size, thickness, and heterojunction area. The ordered space of the patterned ZnO NAs was completely filled by Cu 2 O, which promotes the generation and separation of carriers in the cells [89]. The light absorption ability has been effectively enhanced owing to the strong light scattering effect.…”

Получение Гетероструктурных Оксидных Композиций Для Перспективных Солнечных Элементов Нового Поколения

“…Фотовольтаиче-ские устройства на основе нановолокон ZnO, получен-ных методом electrospun, и электроосажденного слоя Cu 2 O проявляют эффективность преобразования энер-гии ∼ 0.77% [4]. Трехмерные упорядоченные структуры Al−ZnO−ZnO/Cu 2 O на основе массивов нанопроводов ZnO и электроосажденных слоев Cu 2 O имеют макси-мальную эффективность 1.52% [5].…”