Cu2S-deposited mesoporous NiO photocathode for a solar cell

Fabrication of visible‐light transparent solar cells composed of NiO/NixZn1‐xO/ZnO heterostructures

“…Additionally, they have the advantage of absorbing only UV light, which is harmful to humans. For example, Tsai et al reported a NiO/ZnO nanowire-based heterojunction structure for application in photovoltaic devices [18], Rhee et al reported Cu 2 S/NiO solar cells and obtained a NiO layer by annealing NiO powder at 650 °C for 60 min [19], and we also have fabricated NiO/ZnO solar cell by RF reactive sputtering without intentional heating in a previous study [20]. However, the demonstrated efficiency of such cells remains low.…”

“…Therefore, investigating the valence band discontinuity (ΔE v ) and conduction band discontinuity (ΔE c ) is crucial for designing and developing an efficient photovoltaic device. However, only few experimental and theoretical reports exist on band discontinuities between NiO and other semiconductors used for solar cells [13,19].…”

Experimental determination of band offsets of NiO-based thin film heterojunctions

“…For example, Tsai et al reported a NiO/ZnO nanowire-based heterojunction structure for application to photovoltaic devices, 19 and Rhee et al reported Cu 2 S/NiO solar cells and obtained a NiO layer by annealing NiO powder at 650 C for 60 min. 20 However, the demonstrated efficiency of such cells remains low. One likely reason for this is the mismatch in the band diagram at the pn-heterojunction, because such band offsets determine the junction transport and other interface properties.…”

Developments in and prospects for photocathodic and tandem dye-sensitized solar cells

“…Meanwhile inorganic sensitizers, including quantum dots have also been utilised by a handful of researchers to create pDSCs. In the first report of a QD sensitized pDSC, or pQDSC, published in 2009, Rhee et al [118], applied Cu2S to NiO. The broad and featureless shape of the Cu2S absorption, along with the broad featureless IPCE response of unsensitized NiO (with I -/I3 -based electrolyte) led to some ambiguity as to whether this was truly QD sensitized [119], however, the fact that the measured IPCE response doesn't go to zero at 800 nm (the absorption onset of the QDs is around 1030 nm) suggests this device is indeed Cu2S sensitized, possibly in addition to I -/I3 -generated photocurrent.…”