(Invited) Atomic Layer Deposition of Core-Shell Nanowires for Solar Energy Conversion Devices. (10th September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bielinski, Ashley R.; Dasgupta, Neil P.
• Is Part Of: ECS transactions. Volume 69:Number 7(2015)
• Page Start: 3
• Page End: 13
• Publication Date: 2015-09-10
• Subjects: Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; Electrochemistry; Periodicals; Electronic journals; Electronic journal; 541.37
• DOI: 10.1149/06907.0003ecst
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1938-5862

Abstract

Abstract : Semiconductor nanowires (NWs) have several advantages for solar energy conversion devices resulting from strong light absorption and anti-reflective properties, efficient charge transport properties, and large surface areas to drive chemical reactions. However, precise control of surfaces and interfacial properties is crucial to maximize charge-transfer efficiency across interfaces, while minimizing side reactions and recombination. One technique for surface and interfacial engineering is Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD), which allows for conformal deposition of a wide variety of materials with precision and tunable thickness and composition. Core-shell structures can be fabricated by coating NWs with ALD, facilitating precise tuning of the electronic, optical, and chemical properties to optimize their interfaces. We present several examples of ALD core-shell structures for energy conversion, with an emphasis on solar applications. Examples include quantum-dot sensitized NWs, earth abundant core-shell NWs, passivation layers and co-catalysts for photoelectrochemical water splitting, and control of heterogeneous interfaces in hierarchical nanomaterial synthesis.