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Self-Powered Ultraviolet Photodetectors Enabled by Multisite Bonding at Imidazolate Framework-Polyethylenimine
Thi Muoi Vo1, Hoang Huy Vo Pham2, Chung Wung Bark1,3
1Department of Electrical Engineering, Gachon University, 1342 Seongnam-daero, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13120, Korea.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|March 4, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed self-powered ultraviolet (UV) photodetectors using a novel metal-organic framework (MOF) and polymer composite. This approach significantly improved device performance by reducing leakage current and enhancing stability for energy-autonomous sensing applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Optoelectronics
Background:
- Self-powered ultraviolet (UV) photodetectors are crucial for energy-autonomous sensing.
- Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) show promise but face challenges in film quality and leakage currents.
- Improving MOF-based photodetector performance requires addressing morphological defects and current leakage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer a high-performance, self-powered UV photodetector using a MOF-polymer hybrid film.
- To investigate the role of interfacial engineering in suppressing leakage currents and enhancing device stability.
- To demonstrate a practical strategy for improving MOF-based photodetector characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a vertical photodiode device utilizing a ZIF-8@polyethylenimine (PEI) hybrid film.
- Engineering the hybrid film through multisite Zn ← N coordination and hydrogen bonding.
- Characterization of the photodetector's performance, including responsivity, detectivity, and response times.
Main Results:
- The ZIF-8@PEI hybrid film exhibited dense, crack-free morphology and acted as a hole-blocking barrier.
- The self-powered UV photodetector achieved a high detectivity of 8.24 × 1012 Jones at 302 nm.
- The device demonstrated rapid response times (0.504/0.582 s) and maintained stability for one month.
Conclusions:
- MOF-polymer interfacial engineering is a viable strategy to overcome limitations in MOF-based photodetectors.
- The developed photodetector shows excellent performance for energy-autonomous UV sensing.
- This work paves the way for more efficient and stable MOF-based optoelectronic devices.
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