Low-temperature Synthesis of Density-controlled ZnO Nanorod Arrays from an Aqueous Solution for Nanorod-based Solar Cell Applications

Y. Kuang, C.H.M. van der Werf, Z.S. Houweling, R.E.I. Schropp

Research output: Contribution to conferencePosterOther research output

Abstract

We propose a third generation solar cell concept in which an array of zinc oxide nanorod electrodes is coated with an a-Si:H n-i-p junction to form a novel nanorod/a-Si:H solar cell. For this concept, the fabrication of vertically aligned nanorods with a desired aspect ratio and site-density on a substrate of a large area size is essential. In this study, density-controlled ZnO nanorod (ZNR) arrays were synthesized on large area pre-treated Corning glass substrates by a simple aqueous solution growth technique using different growth conditions. Equal molar ratio mixtures of zinc acetate dihydrate and hexamethylenetetramine dissolved in de-ionized water were used as the growth solution. The effects of the reactant concentration, the growth temperature and the time on the morphology and crystallinity of the ZNRs were systematically investigated by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Optical properties of the prepared ZNRs were also studied. It was demonstrated that vertically aligned single-crystal ZNRs can be prepared at a low temperature (below 90°C). The as-synthesized ZNRs posses a wurtzite crystal structure with a preferential growth orientation along the [002] direction. The concentration of reactants has a strong impact on the density and the vertical alignment of the ZNRs. The desired site-density of the ZNRs can be easily controlled by adjusting the solution concentration and the desired nanorod aspect ratio by the growth time. Large-scale, density-controlled and low-cost ZNR arrays prepared by this technique were applied to the ZNR-based solar cells. The photovoltaic performance of the novel three-dimensional nanorod solar cells will also be reported in this study.
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - 25 Apr 2011
Event2011 MRS Spring Meeting, Symposium EE: Semiconductor Nanowires--From Fundamentals to Applications - San Francisco, California
Duration: 25 Apr 201129 Apr 2011

Conference

Conference2011 MRS Spring Meeting, Symposium EE: Semiconductor Nanowires--From Fundamentals to Applications
CitySan Francisco, California
Period25/04/1129/04/11

Bibliographical note

2011 MRS Spring Meeting, Symposium EE: Semiconductor Nanowires--From Fundamentals to Applications

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