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A nanocomposite ultraviolet photodetector based on interfacial trap-controlled charge injection
Fawen Guo1, Bin Yang, Yongbo Yuan
1Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, NE 68588, USA.
Nature Nanotechnology
|November 13, 2012
Summary
Researchers developed a novel solution-processed ultraviolet photodetector using ZnO nanoparticles and semiconducting polymers. This nanocomposite device offers superior performance and lower cost compared to traditional inorganic ultraviolet photodetectors.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Optoelectronics
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Inorganic photodetectors (silicon, SiC, GaN) are standard for UV detection but are costly and have low responsivity.
- Existing organic and nanomaterial-based photodetectors are cheaper but underperform.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a cost-effective, high-performance ultraviolet photodetector using solution-processed nanocomposites.
- To enhance responsivity and detectivity for UV detection applications.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a nanocomposite active layer with ZnO nanoparticles and semiconducting polymers.
- Investigation of charge injection mechanisms and device performance under varying illumination conditions.
- Characterization of dark current, responsivity, and detectivity at room temperature.
Main Results:
- The nanocomposite photodetector exhibited significantly higher responsivity (721–1,001 A W⁻¹) than inorganic counterparts.
- The device demonstrated a unique transition from Schottky to ohmic contact, combining low dark current and high photoconductivity.
- Achieved a detectivity of 3.4 × 10¹⁵ Jones at 360 nm, surpassing existing inorganic UV photodetectors by two to three orders of magnitude.
Conclusions:
- Solution-processed nanocomposite photodetectors offer a promising low-cost, high-performance alternative to inorganic UV detectors.
- Interfacial trap-controlled charge injection is key to achieving superior optoelectronic properties.
- The developed technology has potential applications in medicine, communications, and defense.
