Facile Bi2S3 nanoparticles on CdS nanowires surface: Core-shell nanostructured design towards solar cell application

Abstract

Present research explores the first report for encapsulation of Bi2S3 nanoparticles (NPs) on the surface of the chemical bath deposited one dimensional CdS nanowires (NWs) enabling core-shell surface architecture with the aid of simple and low-cost successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method towards photo electrochemical solar cell application. Optimum coverage of well-tuned Bi2S3 particle size on CdS NWs through number of SILAR immersions implicit nano heterostructure at core-shell interfacial contact as examined through structural, surface morphological, and valence state elemental analysis in correlation with the photoelectrochemical (PEC) solar cell parameters as efficiency, quantum efficiency, Mott-Schottky and electrochemical resistances along with electron lifetime through EIS studies. Remarkably, 15 SILAR cycled Bi2S3 anchored CdS NWs yields one and half times better efficiency than the bare CdS and three times than bare Bi2S3. Incorporation of lower band gap material over the larger band gap semiconductor with well-tuned particle size and energy band alignment has opened an auspicious route to enhance the light harvesting property as explored through CdS NWs/ Bi2S3 nano heterostructure.