Nondestructive interface construction for CdS-buffered ZnO nanorod/Cu2O composite structure solar cells

In this work, ZnO nanorod/Cu2O composite nanostructure solar cells were prepared using hydrothermal growth and electrodeposition. The CdS layer was added between ZnO and Cu2O to suppress carrier reverse recombination. Nondestructive interface deposition methods were employed to prepare CdS and Cu2O functional layers. The CdS layers were unconventionally deposited in non-alkaline solution, which can inhibit etching on the ZnO surface, and Cu2O layers were electrodeposited in ZnO-buffered alkaline solution which can also inhibit etching on the ZnO surface. Finally, the performance of solar cells was improved by adding a highly resistive CdS intermediate layer between ZnO and Cu2O layers. This work demonstrated the nondestructive interface approach of chemical solution deposition of functional layers on ZnO and possibilities for further improvements to the performance of Cu2O-based nanostructure solar cells with the addition of an intermediated layer.