Characterization of Zn_xCd_1-xO Nanorods for PV Applications

Abstract:

This paper describes the growth of Zn_xCd_1-xO nanorods (NRs) by a single step electrodeposition process. Thin films of polycrystalline nature with cadmium and zinc concentration changing from 10% - 90% were electrodeposited onto ITO conductive glass substrates. XRD analysis confirms a hexagonal wurtzite structure having grain size 57.2 nm. From the FESEM analysis, the synthesized Zn_xCd_1-xO nanorods have uniform hexagonal crystallographic planes, and their diameters are about 100 nm. Remarkably, the ultra-violet (UV) near-band-edge (NBE) emission was red-shifted from 2.75 eV to 3.02 eV due to the direct modulation of band gap caused by Zn/Cd substitution, revealed by UV visible spectroscopy. Finally, ZnCdO thin film deposited on ITO glass substrate is used as one electrode in photovoltaic cells to produce energy by absorbing the energy from the sun, this single junction cells have been put forward as a potential low-cost alternative to the widely used solar cells.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 372)
• Pages: 123-127
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.372.123
• Online since: August 2013
• Authors: Umer Mushtaq, Souad. A.M. Al-Bat’h, Raihan Othman
• Keywords: Electrodeposition, FESEM, Hexagonal Nanorods, PV Applications, Thin Film, Zn_xCd_1-xO

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