The transparent pn junction of CuI/SnO2/ZnO core-shell orderly nanoarrays towards photovoltaic conversion enhancement

The CuI/SnO2/ZnO core-shell orderly nanoarrays transparent pn junction has been fabricated via a simple approach of hydrothermal-sputtering-iodize method. Herein, the ternary CuI/SnO2/ZnO transparent pn junction (CuI/ZnO-SnO2-3) exhibits highly transmittance of similar to 80 %, photovoltaic conversion enhancement of similar to 1.0 x 103 folds than intrinsic CuI/ZnO pn junction (PCE of similar to 1.16 %), stable output during 1800 s and decent stability during 10 weeks' continuous cycle. It can be mainly attributed to that, the SnO2 shell transition layer with appropriate Fermi level, carrier injection and wide band gap, can optimize the carrier concentration-mobility kinetic equilibrium efficiently to achieve a higher transparent photovoltaic conversion. Additionally, the SnO2/ZnO core-shell orderly nanoarrays can provide carrier pathway, increase solar efficiency and physical stability.

Automated summary

The CuI/SnO2/ZnO core-shell orderly nanoarrays transparent pn junction fabricated via hydrothermal-sputtering-iodize method exhibits high transmittance and photovoltaic conversion enhancement. This is mainly attributed to the SnO2 shell transition layer with appropriate Fermi level and wide band gap, as well as the carrier pathway provided by the SnO2/ZnO core-shell orderly nanoarrays.