<p>Copper and zinc oxides (CuO, Cu<sub>2</sub>O, ZnO) are semiconductors with p-type and n-type conductivity, respectively, which have attracted attention as perspective materials for the research and development of p-n junction-based devices. Their low cost and abundance are ideal for applications in electronics and solar radiation sensing and harvesting. Most research involving these materials has been focused on UV-VIS photodetectors and solar cells, as well as p-n junction-based diodes. However, less attention has been paid to thermoelectric applications or the detection/energy harvesting of infrared radiation, which constitutes a significant part of the solar spectrum. In this work, electrical properties and the unbiased response to infrared radiation of CuO-Cu<sub>2</sub>O-ZnO heterojunction nanowires are studied. The vertically arranged CuO-Cu<sub>2</sub>O-ZnO nanowire arrays were synthesized directly on copper substrates using a combined thermal oxidation/thermal evaporation method and studied in-situ inside a scanning electron microscope using nanomanipulation techniques. The nanowires were found to exhibit diode-like behavior, indicating the presence of a p-n junction. Furthermore, a pronounced unbiased response to infrared radiation was observed and attributed to the photo-thermoelectrical effect. The estimated Seebeck coefficient, power factor, and responsivity of the CuO-Cu<sub>2</sub>O-ZnO heterojunction nanowires were 120 µV/K, 18 nW/mK<sup>2</sup>, and 150&#xa0;mA/W respectively. The absorbance capabilities of the material widen the potential for applications in effective harvesting of the full spectrum of solar energy. Additionally, the material furthers the development of nano-power generators operating at low-temperature differences of a few degrees Celsius, which may be favorable for a wide range of applications, like wearable electronics, Internet-of-Things, environmental and health sensors.</p>

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In-situ SEM evaluation of single-nanowire response in CuO–Cu₂O–ZnO nanowire arrays for infrared energy harvesting

  • D. Gavars,
  • R. Meija,
  • M. Volkova,
  • A. Sarakovskis,
  • A. Kons,
  • D. Erts,
  • J. Andzane

摘要

Copper and zinc oxides (CuO, Cu2O, ZnO) are semiconductors with p-type and n-type conductivity, respectively, which have attracted attention as perspective materials for the research and development of p-n junction-based devices. Their low cost and abundance are ideal for applications in electronics and solar radiation sensing and harvesting. Most research involving these materials has been focused on UV-VIS photodetectors and solar cells, as well as p-n junction-based diodes. However, less attention has been paid to thermoelectric applications or the detection/energy harvesting of infrared radiation, which constitutes a significant part of the solar spectrum. In this work, electrical properties and the unbiased response to infrared radiation of CuO-Cu2O-ZnO heterojunction nanowires are studied. The vertically arranged CuO-Cu2O-ZnO nanowire arrays were synthesized directly on copper substrates using a combined thermal oxidation/thermal evaporation method and studied in-situ inside a scanning electron microscope using nanomanipulation techniques. The nanowires were found to exhibit diode-like behavior, indicating the presence of a p-n junction. Furthermore, a pronounced unbiased response to infrared radiation was observed and attributed to the photo-thermoelectrical effect. The estimated Seebeck coefficient, power factor, and responsivity of the CuO-Cu2O-ZnO heterojunction nanowires were 120 µV/K, 18 nW/mK2, and 150 mA/W respectively. The absorbance capabilities of the material widen the potential for applications in effective harvesting of the full spectrum of solar energy. Additionally, the material furthers the development of nano-power generators operating at low-temperature differences of a few degrees Celsius, which may be favorable for a wide range of applications, like wearable electronics, Internet-of-Things, environmental and health sensors.