Solution processed transparent anatase TiO₂ nanoparticles/MoO₃ nanostructures heterojunction: high performance...

Ultraviolet (UV) photodetectors are considered as the major players in energy saving technology of the future. Efforts are needed to further develop such devices, which are capable of operating efficiently at low driving potential as well as with weak illumination. Herein, we report an all-oxide, highly transparent TiO₂/MoO₃ bilayer film, with nanoparticulate anatase TiO₂ as the platform, fabricated by a simple solution based method and demonstrate its use in UV photodetection. Photoconductivity measurement with 352 nm light reveals the self-powered UV detection capability of the device due to the built-in potential at the bilayer interface. The device exhibits a high photoresponsivity (46.05 A W^-1), detectivity (2.84 × 10¹² Jones) and EQE (16 223%) even with a weak illumination of 76 μW cm^-2, at a low bias of only -1 V. The self-powered performance of the bilayer device is comparable to that of commercial Si photodetectors as well as other such UV detectors reported based on metal oxide heterojunctions. The improved and faster photoresponse shown by the device is due to the formation of an effective heterojunction, as evidenced by XPS, electrochemical and I-V studies. It can be further attributed to the better charge transport through the densely aligned nanostructures, reduced recombination and the better mobility of anatase TiO₂ nanoparticles. The performance is best-in-class and proves the potential of the transparent heterojunction to be used in highly responsive, self-powered UV detectors for low bias, low light applications.