Three-Dimensional Ordered ZnO/Cu₂O Nanoheterojunctions for Efficient Metal–Oxide Solar Cells

Interface modulation for broad-band light trapping and efficient carrier collection has always been the research focus in solar cells, which provides the most effective way to achieve performance enhancement. In this work, solution-processed 3D ordered ZnO/Cu2O nanoheterojunctions, consisting of patterned n-ZnO nanorod arrays (NRAs) and p-Cu2O films, are elaborately designed and fabricated for the first time. By taking advantage of nanoheterojunctions with square patterned ZnO NRAs, solar cells demonstrate the maximum current density and efficiency of 9.89 mA cm(-2) and 1.52%, which are improved by 201% and 127%, respectively, compared to that of cells without pattern. Experimental analysis and theoretical simulation confirm that this exciting result originates from a more efficient broad-band light trapping and carrier collection of the 3D ordered ZnO/Cu2O nanoheterojunctions. Such 3D ordered nanostructures will have a great potential application for low-cost and all oxide solar energy conversion. Furthermore, the methodology applied in this work can be also generalized to rational design of other efficient nanodevices and nanosystems.