Enhanced broadband photoresponse of Ge/CdS nanowire radial heterostructures

CdS/Ge nanowire heterojunction has been grown by chemical deposition of CdS on Ge nanowire templates. Transmission electron micrographs show the growth of core-shell Ge/CdS nanowire radial heterostructures. Raman spectra reveal the confinement of phonons in nanocrystalline CdS shell grown on Ge nanowires. A diodelike behavior in I-V characteristics of Ge/CdS heterojunction is observed due to the formation of rectifying junction between CdS shells and Ge nanowire cores. An improved photocurrent spectrum of Ge/CdS heterojunction nanowires with broadband response from visible to near-IR region is demonstrated.