Synthesis of ZnO nanoplates decorated rhombus-shaped ZnO nanorods and their application in solar cells

• Published in: Physica. E, Low-dimensional systems & nanostructures Vol. 59; pp. 110 - 116
• Main Authors: Zhu, Yufu, Shen, Wenzhong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.05.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Chemical synthesis; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Low-dimensional structures (superlattices, quantum well structures, multilayers): structure, and nonelectronic properties; Materials science; Nanocrystalline materials; Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization; Nanotubes; Natural energy; Photovoltaic application; Photovoltaic conversion; Physics; Semiconductor nanostructure; Solar cells. Photoelectrochemical cells; Solar energy; Surfaces and interfaces; thin films and whiskers (structure and nonelectronic properties); Chemical synthesis; Photovoltaic application; Semiconductor nanostructure; Solar cells; Scanning electron microscopy; Nanoplate; Semiconductor materials; Porous materials; Field emission; XRD; Nanostructures; Precursor; Photovoltaic cell; Hexagonal lattices; Transmission electron microscopy; Morphology; Nanowires; Arrays; Nanorod; Nanostructured materials; Photoelectrode; Nanomaterial synthesis
• ISSN: 1386-9477; 1873-1759
• DOI: 10.1016/j.physe.2014.01.010

Novel nanostructures of ZnF(OH) nanoplates decorated rhombus-shaped ZnF(OH) nanorods were fabricated. The obtained precursors were transformed by calcination to porous hierarchical ZnO nanostructures with the original morphologies retained. Field emission scanning electron microscope images exhibit that the nanoplates are grown in the interstices between the nanorods and on the top of the nanorods. The structure and composition of the obtained products have been confirmed by transmission electron microscope and X-ray diffraction measurements. The obtained ZnO nanostructures have been successfully used in solar cells. The light-to-electricity conversion results show that the complex nanostructures exhibit a power conversion efficiency of 1.36% with a photoelectrode thickness of 4.2µm, which is comparable to those based on 40µm vertically aligned hexagonal-shaped ZnO nanowire array photoelectrodes. These results indicate that the synthesized ZnO nanoplate decorated rhombus-shaped ZnO nanorod nanostructures are more suitable for application as a photoelectrode in solar cells. ZnF(OH) nanoplates decorated ZnF(OH) nanorods were fabricated. Hierarchical porous ZnO were obtained by calcining the obtained nanostructures. The yielded ZnO shows superior photoelectric conversion performance. [Display omitted] •Novel nanostructures of ZnF(OH) nanoplates decorated ZnF(OH) nanorods were fabricated.•The above mentioned novel architectures have never been reported.•Porous ZnO nanostructures were obtained by calcining the obtained ZnF(OH) ones.•Rhombus-shaped ZnO nanorods and complex ZnO nanostructures were used in solar cells.•The complex ZnO nanostructures show superior photoelectric conversion performance.