Hierarchical Nanostructures for Photo-Electro-Chemical Cells - Hierarchical Nanostructures for Energy Devices - page 195

VLS þ
hydrothermal

Water splitting
(photoanode)

ZnO nanotetrapods were
synthesized via a VLS
process and etched
followed by thermal
decomposition of Zn(AC) 2
to generate tiny irregular
spikes on the surface.
Successive hydrothermal
growth generated dense
branches to form a high
surface area hierarchical
structure. Furthermore,
enhanced ABPE
e ciencies up to 0.31%
have been demonstrated by
nitrogen doping that
narrows the bandgap of
ZnO, thus increases visible
light absorption.

Adapted with permission
from ref.81
(copyright 2011, ACS)

Electrodeposition 82 þ
hydrothermal

ZnO Homo Photovoltaics

(photoanode)

83 A new type of combination

comprising a ZnO
nanosheet backbone and
ZnO nanowire branches
has been demonstrated as
a hierarchical structure for
DSSC applications. A 4.8%
power conversion
e ciency has been
reported.

Adapted with permission
from ref.83
(copyright 2010, ACS)