Abstract
The response of the nanogenerator output when it is subjected to photon excitation using a single CdS NW as a model system was investigated. CdS NW's were grown in a PVD process through the VS growth mechanism. CdS powders and Si(111) were used as the CdS source and collecting substrate, respectively. The as-prepared CdS NWs were characterized by TEM. A single CdS NW prepared from the PVD process was picked out and put on the insulated silicon substrate. One end of the CdS NW was fixed on the insulated silicon substrate using silver paste that was electrically grounded, while the other end of the CdS NW was left free and deflected consecutively using a conducting Pt-coated silicon tip of an atomic force microscope to perform the piezoelectric measurements. It was observed that white light reduces the height of the Schottky barrier existing at the tip/NW contact, leading to possible barrier breakthrough and contact mode change from Schottky to quasi-Ohmic.