Solution Growth and Optical Characterization of Thin Films with ZnO1-xSx and ZnO Nanorods in Core-Shell like Nanostructure for Solar Cell Application

MRS Online Proceedings Library volume 1449, pages93–98(2012)Cite this article

Abstract

ZnO films with a nanostructure dominated by 150–200 nm size highly c-axis oriented nanorod arrays were deposited by hydrothermal synthesis over surface activated quartz substrates. Sulfur infiltration and growth of ZnO1-xSx over ZnO nanorods was carried out by chemiplating process using slow hydrolysis of thiourea solution at 95°C. Formation of ZnO1-xSx nanocrystals of 20–30 nm size over (0001) facets of the ZnO rods is shown. With progressive growth of ZnO1-xSx nanocrystal and full ZnO nanorod coverage, the formation ZnO/ZnO1-xSx core–shell nanostructure is realized. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis shows chemical shifts in O1s and S2p spectra confirming the formation of ZnO1-xSx (0.1≤x≤0.2) nanocrystal shell. Reduction in optical band gap from a 3.24 eV for ZnO nanorod core to 2.78 eV for the ZnO1-xSx shell is consistent with the band gap bowing effect due to sulfur addition over the ZnO nanorod surface.

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Acknowledgments

This project was supported by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) under contract N00014-11-1-0658 which is gratefully acknowledged.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Center for Autonomous Solar Power (CASP), Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, NY, 13902, USA

    Ratheesh R. Thankalekshmi & A. C. Rastogi

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  1. Ratheesh R. Thankalekshmi
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  2. A. C. Rastogi
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Correspondence to Ratheesh R. Thankalekshmi.

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Thankalekshmi, R.R., Rastogi, A.C. Solution Growth and Optical Characterization of Thin Films with ZnO1-xSx and ZnO Nanorods in Core-Shell like Nanostructure for Solar Cell Application. MRS Online Proceedings Library 1449, 93–98 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1557/opl.2012.1289

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