Phase assembly and photo-induced current in CdTe-ZnO nanocomposite thin films

Sequential radio-frequency sputtering was used to produce CdTe-ZnO nanocomposite thin films with varied semiconductor-phase extended structures. Control of the spatial distribution of CdTe nanoparticles within the ZnO embedding phase was used to influence the semiconductor phase connectivity, contributing to both changes in quantum confinement induced spectral absorption and carrier transport characteristics of the resulting nanocomposite. An increased number density of CdTe particles deposited along the applied field direction produced an enhancement in the photo-induced current observed. These results highlight the opportunity to employ long-range phase assembly as a means to control optoelectronic properties of significant interest for photovoltaic applications.