An Omnidirectionally Stretchable Photodetector Based on Organic-Inorganic Heterojunctions

Omnidirectionally stretchable photodetectors are limited by difficulties in designing material and fabrication processes that enable stretchability in multiaxial directions. Here, we propose a new approach involving an organic-inorganic p-n heterojunction photodetector comprised of free-standing ZnO nanorods grown on a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-polystyrene sulfonate transport layer coated on a three-dimensional micropatterned stretchable substrate containing bumps and valleys. This structure allows for efficient absorption of stretching strain. This approach allows the device to accommodate large tensile strain in all of the directions. The device behaves as a photogated p-n heterojunction photodetector in which current modulation was obtained by sensing the mechanisms that rely on photovoltage and photogating effects. The device exhibits a high photoresponse to UV light and reliable electrical performance under applied stretching in uniaxial and omniaxial directions. Furthermore, the device can be easily and conformally attached to a human wrist. This allowed us to investigate the response of the device to UV light during human activity.