A high performance quasi-solid-state self-powered UV photodetector based on TiO₂nanorod arrays

Abstract

Self-powered UV photodetectors based on TiO2 and ZnO nanorod arrays have attracted lots of attention in recent years due to their various advantages. Impressive performances were observed in photochemical cell based UV detectors. However, liquid electrolytes are not ideal for long-term operation and are inconvenient for practical applications. Hence there is an urgent demand for replacing liquid electrolytes with solid-state hole transfer materials. Herein we report a nanostructured quasi-solid-state UV photodetector fabricated using a liquid crystal (LC)-embedded electrolyte with a light-trapping scheme. Vertical rutile TiO2 nanorod arrays grown on fluorine-doped tin oxide conductive glass were used as the active photoanode. A high incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency of 29% at 383 nm and a quick response time of less than 0.03 s were observed. In addition, it was revealed that the quasi-solid-state UV photodetector showed visible-blind, high responsivity, fast time response and good photosensitivity linearity in a wide light intensity range. The LC-embedded electrolyte with a light-trapping scheme enhanced the light absorption and thus improved the photodetecting performance. This self-powered device is a promising candidate for application in high-sensitivity and high-speed UV light photodetectors.

Highly Efficient and Stable Self‐Powered Ultraviolet and Deep‐Blue Photodetector Based on Cs2AgBiBr6/SnO2 Heterojunction

“…Photodetectors that capture light and convert it into electricity have been used in many applications, such as imaging systems, environmental surveillance, communications, and biological sensing . UV detectors play an important role in practical applications, many devices have been prepared with wide bandgap semiconductors, such as ZnO, NiO, and TiO 2 etc .…”

Synthesis of SnO2 Nanowires Using SnI2 as Precursor and Their Application as High‐Performance Self‐Powered Ultraviolet Photodetectors

“…It can be seen from Table that most photodetectors with high value of EQE and R λ are measured at bias from 1 to 20 V . The devices fabricated from SnO 2 nanowires, ZnO‐Nanorod/CuSCN, TiO 2 nanorod arrays and Ag‐ZnO nanowires measured at nominal zero bias show low values of EQE and R λ . However, the individual SnO 2 nanowire‐based photodetectors D1 and D2 in the present work show both high performances and self‐powered properties.…”

Recent Progress of Methods to Enhance Photovoltaic Effect for Self‐Powered Heterojunction Photodetectors and Their Applications in Inorganic Low‐Dimensional Structures

“…Many type II 1D core–shell heterojunctions, which are based on III–V and II–VI semiconductors, are designed to provide desirable and effective charge‐separation characteristics. [ 104 ] Examples are nanowires, [ 107–109 ] nanorods, [ 110–112 ] nanotubes, [ 29,113 ] and nanofiber‐shapes. [ 33 ] In particular, there is a range of “quantum coaxial‐cable” p–n junctions with different compositions, morphologies, and properties.…”