Improved photon trapping by combined use of dye-synthesized and one-dimensional fiber-like nanostructured CuO thin film

Photon trapping and absorption are affected strongly by surface morphology and chemical composition. Here, we have developed a novel synthetic recipe based on the electrochemical deposition of CuO in the form of cubic-like nanostructural (CLN) morphology on glass substrate coated ITO. Deposition conditions were carefully manipulated to build up a thin film of CLN on the pre-deposited seeds. NaOH solution of adjusted concentration was used as a modifying agent that converted three-dimensional CLN into one-dimensional fiber-like nanostructure (FLN) thin film, which showed a dramatic increase in photon trapping. For the first time, an optically stable dye N,N'-bis(4-pyridyl)-3,4:9,10-perylenebis (dicarboximide) (BPPD) was used to enhance photon absorption by the FLN thin film. The photon absorption of the dye-sensitized FLN showed enhanced and stable behavior compared to the bare FLN thin film.