Tailoring Cu2-xTe quantum-dot-decorated ZnO nanoparticles for potential solar cell applications

• Main Authors: Tubtimtae A., Phadungdhitidhada S., Wongratanaphisan D., Gardchareon A., Choopun S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Online Access: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84898075477&partnerID=40&md5=9b3ad2d9dc7002d0d704074ed612407a; http://cmuir.cmu.ac.th/handle/6653943832/4816
• Institution: Chiang Mai University

Cu2-xTe QDs on ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized using a successive ionic layer absorption and reaction technique (SILAR) at room temperature. The as-synthesized QDs which were distributively deposited on ZnO nanoparticles surface were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmittance microscope (HR-TEM). It revealed that the average diameter of the QDs was ∼2 nm. The synthesized Cu2-xTe QDs were solely orthorhombic Cu 1.44Te phase. The growth mechanism was supposed that it based on ions deposition. The energy gap of as-synthesized Cu2-xTe QDs was determined ∼1.1 eV and the smallest energy gap of 0.76 eV was obtained, equal to that of bulk material. Raman spectroscopy and FTIR were also used to study the Cu2-xTe QDs on ZnO nanoparticles. These characteristics suggest a promising implication for a potential broadband sensitizer of QDSCs. © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.