Synthesis and characterization of ZnO/Cu2O core-shell nanowires grown by two-step electrodeposition method

ZnO/Cu2O core/shell nanowires have been grown by two-step electrodeposition method on ITO-coated glass substrates. The sample's morphology was explored by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM images confirm the homogeneity of the nanowires and the presence of Cu2O shell on ZnO core. X-ray diffraction and Raman scattering measurements were used to investigate the purity and the crystallinity of the samples. Optical transmission measurements reveal an additional contribution at about 1.7 eV attributed to the type-II interfacial transition witch confirms the advantage of using the ZnO/Cu2O structure in photovoltaic application.