Radial Heterojunction Solar Cell Consisting of n-Type Rutile Nanowire Arrays Infiltrated by p-Type CdTe

Abstract

We report a p–n heterojunction solid-state solar cell comprised of p-type CdTe that was electrochemically deposited onto hydrothermally synthesized vertically oriented arrays of n-type single crystal rutile TiO2 nanowire arrays (RNWAs). The nanowires were grown on fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO)-coated transparent conductive glass substrates by hydrothermal synthesis. Morphological studies revealed the TiO2 nanowires to be completely infiltrated by the CdTe. The solid-state solar cell exhibited an open circuit voltage of 0.6 V, a short-circuit current density of 3.57 mA cm−2, a fill factor of 44% and a power conversion efficiency of 0.96%.