SILAR coated Bi2S3 nanoparticles on vertically aligned ZnO nanorods: Synthesis and characterizations

Simple and inexpensive wet chemical route, namely successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) is demonstrated to coat the inorganic semiconducting Bi2S3 nanoparticles (NPs) at room temperature on chemical bath deposited vertically aligned ZnO nanorods (NRs). The films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–vis spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), Raman spectroscopy and surface profiler in order to confirm the crystal structure, optical properties, surface morphology, elemental compositions and film thickness. Finally, the solar cell device was formed by using Bi2S3 coated ZnO NRs as photoanode, liquid electrolyte as hole conducting media and platinum (Pt) as a back contact. The power conversion efficiency (η) of 0.025% under illumination of simulated sunlight (AM 1.5 G, 100 mW/cm2) was observed.