Nanosphere@nanorod hybrid arrays generated on substrates by a one-pot process as low-reflecting surfaces

Abstract

We describe nanosphere@nanorod hybrid arrays constructed on substrates by a one-pot method. ZnO nanorods and Er incorporated ZnO nanospheres, both with tunable sizes, were simultaneously grown on substrates. Furthermore, we systematically investigated and optimized the size and morphology of such hybrid nanostructures by adjusting the conditions including reaction temperature, PEI content, precursor concentration, precursor composition and reaction time. The formation mechanism of the hybrid arrays has thus been elucidated. The as-grown hybrid nanostructures showed excellent anti-reflective properties in the wavelength range of 400–1100 nm. When such hybrid nanostructures were applied on the front surface of silicon solar cells, the average total reflectance decreased from 15.05% to 4.14% which thus improved the short-circuit current density from 33.59 to 36.54 mA cm⁻².