Performance of CdSe tetrapods-gold as nanostructure electrochemical materials in photovoltaic cells

Nanoscale rectennae (rectifying antennae) have been fabricated by combining rectifying organic self-assembled monolayers (SAM) with plasmonic materials because of their surface plasmon resonance (SPR) properties of capturing light. Gold antenna arrays are assembled by coating on CdSe tetrapod templates; the rectifying barrier is formed by self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of gold and electrolyte which contains alkylthiolate. Photocurrent measurements showed that electric currents can be induced at different wavelengths within visible range that strongly depend on the aspect ratio of the tetrapod. Adding gold layer can increase the generated photocurrents due to the rectification. Multiple mechanisms among the semiconductors, metals and electrolytes in response of photocurrent are indicated and analyzed.