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Semiconductor nanowires for photovoltaic and photoelectrochemical energy conversion

Frontiers of Physics volume 9, pages 289–302 (2014)Cite this article

Abstract

Semiconductor nanowires (NW) possess several beneficial properties for efficient conversion of solar energy into electricity and chemical energy. Due to their efficient absorption of light, short distances for minority carriers to travel, high surface-to-volume ratios, and the availability of scalable synthesis methods, they provide a pathway to address the low cost-to-power requirements for wide-scale adaptation of solar energy conversion technologies. Here we highlight recent progress in our group towards implementation of NW components as photovoltaic and photoelectrochemical energy conversion devices. An emphasis is placed on the unique properties of these one-dimensional (1D) structures, which enable the use of abundant, low-cost materials and improved energy conversion efficiency compared to bulk devices.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA

    Neil P. Dasgupta & Peidong Yang

  2. The Center of Excellence for Advanced Materials Research (CEAMR), Chemistry Department, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia

    Peidong Yang

Authors
  1. Neil P. Dasgupta
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  2. Peidong Yang
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Correspondence to Peidong Yang.

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Dasgupta, N.P., Yang, P. Semiconductor nanowires for photovoltaic and photoelectrochemical energy conversion. Front. Phys. 9, 289–302 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11467-013-0305-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11467-013-0305-0

Keywords

  • nanowire
  • photovoltaics
  • artificial photosynthesis
  • photoelectrochemistry
  • solar energy