Photovoltaic response of a topotaxially formed CdS–CuxS single nanorod heterojunction

In the present study, a combination of a hydrothermal route and a topotaxial conversion reaction has been used to grow a cadmium sulfide-copper sulfide (CdS-Cu(x)S) single nanorod heterojunction. The J-V characteristics of the CdS nanorods show Shockley behaviour consistent with the energy band diagram of the platinum conducting atomic force microscope (CAFM) probe-CdS nanorod combination. The photovoltaic response measured on the CdS-Cu(x)S nanorods using a CAFM probe shows the formation of a heterojunction with an open circuit voltage of 320 mV, a short circuit current density of 5.5 mA cm⁻² and a crossover of dark and light J-V curves related to the photoconductivity of the interfacial CdS layer. The lengthwise heterojunction fabricated in the present study has many potential advantages in comparison to other single nanorod junctions.