Enhanced photogenerated carrier collection in hybrid films of bio-templated gold nanowires and nanocrystalline CdSe.

Hybrid films of bio-templated gold nanowires and chemical bath deposited nanocrystalline CdSe were fabricated. The conductivity of the gold nanowires within the hybrid material was controlled by gold electroless deposition. Photocurrent measurements were taken on gold nanowire films, CdSe chemical bath deposited films, and hybrid films. The incorporation of gold nanowires within the hybrid material clearly increased the extraction of photogenerated carriers within the CdSe. Photocurrent showed a direct correlation with gold nanowire conductivity.