Template based precursor route for the synthesis of CuInSe₂ nanorod arrays for potential solar cell applications

• Mikhail Pashchanka,
• Jonas Bang,
• Niklas S. A. Gora,
• Ildiko Balog,
• Rudolf C. Hoffmann and
• Jörg J. Schneider

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2013, 4, 868–874, doi:10.3762/bjnano.4.98

• purity and crystallinity, and a stoichiometric composition of the CISe ternary semiconductor compound. Keywords: CIS; light absorption; nanocasting; nanorod arrays; precursor synthesis; Introduction Polycrystalline heterojunction solar cells with a columnar morphology of the photovoltaic active layer

• unique ability for independent adjustment of light absorption (by nanowire length) and charge separation (by nanowire diameter). Nanowire-based photovoltaic layers will allow the fabrication of low-cost small size energy devices with economical use of materials. Very recently, Schoen et al. reported the

• the elements are present in the correct stoichiometry [14]. Secondly, the method allows to lower the conversion temperature and to reduce the particle size. Thus, the products usually contain small particles of large surface area, which is favourable for visible light absorption. Finally, the

Kelvin probe force microscopy of nanocrystalline TiO₂ photoelectrodes

• Alex Henning,
• Gino Günzburger,
• Res Jöhr,
• Yossi Rosenwaks,
• Biljana Bozic-Weber,
• Catherine E. Housecroft,
• Edwin C. Constable,
• Ernst Meyer and
• Thilo Glatzel

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2013, 4, 418–428, doi:10.3762/bjnano.4.49

• system with KPFM, the surface photovoltage (SPV) can be measured on the nanometer scale and is referred to as microscopic SPV. A microscopic SPV is caused by an electron generation upon light absorption at either the surface space-charge region or at the electric field of a buried interface that is

Photoresponse from single upright-standing ZnO nanorods explored by photoconductive AFM

• Igor Beinik,
• Markus Kratzer,
• Astrid Wachauer,
• Lin Wang,
• Yuri P. Piryatinski,
• Gerhard Brauer,
• Xin Yi Chen,
• Yuk Fan Hsu,
• Aleksandra B. Djurišić and
• Christian Teichert

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2013, 4, 208–217, doi:10.3762/bjnano.4.21

• holes move toward the surface in the electric field of the surface depletion region and recombine with the electrons there . This results in an excess of electrons, which were generated by the light absorption contributing to the photocurrent when the sample is biased. This model implies also that the

Influence of the diameter of single-walled carbon nanotube bundles on the optoelectronic performance of dry-deposited thin films

• Kimmo Mustonen,
• Toma Susi,
• Antti Kaskela,
• Patrik Laiho,
• Ying Tian,
• Albert G. Nasibulin and
• Esko I. Kauppinen

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2012, 3, 692–702, doi:10.3762/bjnano.3.79

• distribution and diameters (dtube) can contribute both to conductivity and light-absorption properties [27][29]. UV–vis–NIR absorption spectroscopy is a versatile tool that can be used to define both dtube and, to a limited extent, metallicity [30]. The fitting of semiconducting (E11 and E22) and metallic (M11

• the light-absorption properties [27][29]. SWCNTs of small dtube have their first-order metallic-transition peaks (M11) located around 550 nm (2.3 eV), whereas for larger dtube SWCNTs the peaks are shifted to lower energies (higher wavelengths). This slightly lowers the absorbance at the reference

Low-temperature synthesis of carbon nanotubes on indium tin oxide electrodes for organic solar cells

• Andrea Capasso,
• Luigi Salamandra,
• Aldo Di Carlo,
• John M. Bell and
• Nunzio Motta

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2012, 3, 524–532, doi:10.3762/bjnano.3.60

• particles with a typical size of >2 µm. As a consequence, the film surface would segregate and change its chemical ratio. The film conductivity will in turn significantly decrease, as will the optical transmittance, on account of a stronger light absorption and scattering caused by those metallic

Reduced electron recombination of dye-sensitized solar cells based on TiO₂ spheres consisting of ultrathin nanosheets with [001] facet exposed

• Hongxia Wang,
• Meinan Liu,
• Cheng Yan and
• John Bell

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2012, 3, 378–387, doi:10.3762/bjnano.3.44

• the DSC made from paste B is due to the availability of more TiO2 particles in the film, which can absorb more dye molecules, leading to a stronger light absorption. The Jsc of the DSC made from paste B was further increased from 15.6 mA/cm2 (Figure 2b, curve C) to 18.2 mA/cm2 when the TiO2 film was

Enhanced visible light photocatalysis through fast crystallization of zinc oxide nanorods

• Sunandan Baruah,
• Mohammad Abbas Mahmood,
• Myo Tay Zar Myint,
• Tanujjal Bora and
• Joydeep Dutta

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2010, 1, 14–20, doi:10.3762/bjnano.1.3

• recombination rate is lower than the rate of electron transfer to adsorbed molecules. There are reports on the enhancement of visible light absorption in ZnO by doping with, e.g., cobalt (Co) [18], manganese (Mn) [19], lead (Pb) and silver (Ag) [16], etc. Photocatalytic activity comparable to doped ZnO was also