Formation of NiO/SnO2 p-n heterostructures grown by a single-step process based on a vapor–solid method

Abstract

Fabrication of p-n heterostructures in low dimensional structures has been considered one of the most promising strategies to develop optoelectronic devices with enhanced applicability in photocatalysis or solar cells, among other fields of research, although it is still a challenging task. Different approaches have been used in the fabrication of p-n heterostructures, usually involving expensive processing and subsequent growth stages. In this work, NiO/SnO2 heterostructures formed by SnO2 micro and nanowires grown on NiO grains, have been fabricated in a single step following a vapor–solid process which avoids the use of catalyst or external substrates.