Bicontinuous oxide heteroepitaxy with enhanced photoconductivity
Pao‐Wen Shao, Yi-Xian Wu, Wei-Han Chen, Mojue Zhang, Minyi Dai, Yen‐Chien Kuo, Shang‐Hsien Hsieh, Yi-Cheng Tang, Po−Liang Liu, Pu Yu, Yuang Chen, Rong Huang, Chia‐Hao Chen, Ju‐Hung Hsu, Yi‐Chun Chen, Jia‐Mian Hu, Ying‐Hao Chu
Abstract
Abstract Self-assembled systems have recently attracted extensive attention because they can display a wide range of phase morphologies in nanocomposites, providing a new arena to explore novel phenomena. Among these morphologies, a bicontinuous structure is highly desirable based on its high interface-to-volume ratio and 3D interconnectivity. A bicontinuous nickel oxide (NiO) and tin dioxide (SnO 2 ) heteroepitaxial nanocomposite is revealed here. By controlling their concentration, we fabricated tuneable self-assembled nanostructures from pillars to bicontinuous structures, as evidenced by TEM-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy with a tortuous compositional distribution. The experimentally observed growth modes are consistent with predictions by first-principles calculations. Phase-field simulations are performed to understand 3D microstructure formation and extract key thermodynamic parameters for predicting microstructure morphologies in SnO 2 :NiO nanocomposites of other concentrations. Furthermore, we demonstrate significantly enhanced photovoltaic properties in a bicontinuous SnO 2 :NiO nanocomposite macroscopically and microscopically. This research shows a pathway to developing innovative solar cell and photodetector devices based on self-assembled oxides.