Graphene/PbS quantum dot hybrid structure for application in near-infrared photodetectors

A graphene-PbS quantum dot (QD) composite for application in high-performance near-infrared (NIR) photodetectors (PDs) is proposed in this study. A single-layer graphene flake and oleic acid-capped PbS QD composite is fabricated through the conventional sonication process, in hexane solution. Field emission scanning electron microscopy images of the graphene-PbS QD composite dispersed on a glass substrate confirm that the composite contains both aggregated graphene flakes and single-layer graphene with wrinkles; Transmission electron microscopy images reveal close packing with uniform size. The increased absorbance and quenched photoluminescence intensity of the graphene-PbS QD composite supports enhanced photoinduced charge transfer between graphene and the PbS QDs. Moreover, the specific Raman mode of the PbS QDs, embedded in the spectrum, is enhanced by combination with graphene, which can be interpreted by SERS as relevant to the photoinduced charge transfer between the Pbs QDs and graphene. For device application, a PD structure comprised by graphene-PbS QDs is fabricated. The photocurrent of the PD is measured using a conventional probe station with a 980-nm NIR laser diode. In the fabricated PD comprising graphene-PbS QDs, five-times higher photocurrent, 22% faster rise time, and 47% faster decay time are observed, compared to that comprising PbS QDs alone. This establishes the potential of the graphene-PbS QD composite for application in ultrathin, flexible, high-performance NIR PDs.