Solution-Processed Solid-State Solar Cells of ZnO/CuO Core/Shell Nanrods

All-solid-state solar cells of n-ZnO/p-CuO core/shell nanorods (NRs) with CuO active layers have been fabricated on indium tin oxide. The ZnO/CuO core/shell NRs have wurtzite n-type ZnO at the 'core' and monoclinic p-type CuO as the 'shell'. The ZnO NRs and CuO films have been synthesized by hydrothermal and electroless deposition methods, respectively. The solid-state core/shell solar cells showed short current (J(SC)) of 126 mu A cm(-2), open circuit voltage (V-OC) of 206 mV, fill factor (FF) of 34%, and power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 3.3 x 10(-2)% at AM 1.5 G with a power intensity of 100 mW/cm.(2)