Electrodeposited Wurtzite nanocolumns characterization for hybrid solar cells fabrication

J.OROZCO; L. C. DAMONTE; M.A.HERNÁNDEZ-FENOLLOSA; V.DONDERIS; P.KALU

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Simposio; XV International Symposium on Metastable and Nanocrystalline Materials (ISMANAM08); 2008

ZnO has received much attention over the past few years due to its optical/bandgap energy transition properties showing variations depending on doping. Without much effort, it can be grown by electrodeposition in many different nanoscale forms, thus allowing various hybrid concepts based solar cells devices to be fabricated at low cost. Morphology, conductivity and microstructure are at the basis of the effective use of these properties, but have not been completely described. This article presents a complete characterization of the most useful Zinc Oxide morphologies on Wurtzite structure as a promising way to fabricate various opto-electronic devices, such as light emitting diodes and hybrid solar cells selected from various doping/heat treatment options. The characterization begins with 3D tomography of a column, nucleation analysis, mechanical properties obtained through nanoidentation, electron mobility through Hall Effect, and finally TEM analysis on the whole microstructure. Through the results analysis several issues are clarified concerning the structural basis for the observed properties.