CuO–ZnO nanocomposite films with efficient interfacial charge transfer characteristics for optoelectronic applications

Abstract

CuO–ZnO nanocomposite films were synthesized through the oxidation of nanostructured Cu–Zn films deposited by vacuum deposition technique at a relatively high pressure of an inert gas. XRD patterns showed that the film samples were nanocomposites containing nanograins of CuO and ZnO and that the size of the CuO grains decreased with the increase in the Zn atom %. Optical absorption and Raman spectra confirmed the samples to be nanocomposites. The decrease in the activation energy for DC conduction and the enhancement in the photocurrent in the CuO–ZnO nanocomposite films with the increase in the atom % of Zn were attributed to an efficient interfacial charge transfer between the CuO and ZnO grains.