Hexagonal-like Nb₂O₅ nanoplates-based photodetectors and photocatalyst with high performances

Ultraviolet (UV) photodetectors are important tools in the fields of optical imaging, environmental monitoring, and air and water sterilization, as well as flame sensing and early rocket plume detection. Herein, hexagonal-like Nb₂O₅ nanoplates are synthesized using a facile solvothermal method. UV photodetectors based on single Nb₂O₅ nanoplates are constructed and the optoelectronic properties have been probed. The photodetectors show remarkable sensitivity with a high external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 9617%, and adequate wavelength selectivity with respect to UV-A light. In addition, the photodetectors exhibit robust stability and strong dependence of photocurrent on light intensity. Also, a low-cost drop-casting method is used to fabricate photodetectors based on Nb₂O₅ nanoplate film, which exhibit singular thermal stability. Moreover, the hexagonal-like Nb₂O₅ nanoplates show significantly better photocatalytic performances in decomposing Methylene-blue and Rhdamine B dyes than commercial Nb₂O₅.