Optical absorption enhancement in sensitized ZnO nanorods for solar cells

ABSTRACTThe Optical Properties of ZnO Nanorods (NR) sensitized with different semiconductors in Core-Shell nanostructures were studied, comparing them with those of bare ZnO NR. Experimental measurements of Transmittance and Diffuse Reflectance show an increased light absorption at the solar spectrum and the appearances of new absorption edges (AE). The measurements are compared with numerical simulations based on Bruggeman Effective Medium Approximation. An increased absorption with the sensitizer content is observed. For similar changes in filling fractions, CdTe presents higher changes in a...