Abstract
Light-absorbing and electrically conductive binary CNx nanocone (CNNC) arrays have been fabricated using a glow discharge plasma-assisted reaction deposition method. The intact CNNCs with amorphous structure and central nickel-filled pipelines could be vertically and neatly grown on nickel-covered substrates according to the catalyst-leading mode. The morphologies and composition of the as-grown CNNC arrays can be well controlled by regulating the methane/nitrogen mixture inlet ratio, and their optical absorption and resistivity strongly depend on their morphologies and composition. Beside large specific surface area, the as-grown CNNC arrays demonstrate high wideband absorption, good conduction, and nice wettability to polymer absorbers.
Highlights
Since the 1990s, there has been an upsurge in interest in the properties and potential uses of carbon-related nanostructures [1,2,3]
In summary, the vertically aligned CNx nanocone (CNNC) arrays were synthesized on nickel-covered silicon (100) substrates by the glow discharge plasma-assisted reaction deposition (GPRD) method
The morphologies and composition of the as-grown CNNC arrays are strongly affected by the CH4/N2 feeding gas ratios
Summary
Since the 1990s, there has been an upsurge in interest in the properties and potential uses of carbon-related nanostructures [1,2,3]. Dye-sensitized solar cells and polymer organic hybrid solar cells exploit titanium oxide as electrodes [7,8] This material is far from ideal because of poor electrical conduction and limited optical absorption [9,10]. Carbon-related nanostructures, such as carbon nanotubes and graphene, are attractive electrodes and even absorbers for photovoltaic devices and photodetectors owing to strong optical absorptivity and ultrafast charge transport mobility [6,11]. Their large specific surface area could greatly increase the donor/ acceptor interface, which will effectively increase the separation probability of electrons and holes.
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