Unveiling the Potential of Reduced Graphene Oxide in Self-Powered Photodetectors

Self-powered photodetectors have emerged as advanced devices, gathering significant attention in the field of optoelectronics, particularly for their potential in power-scarce environments. These devices can detect light and generate an electrical current with minimal or no external power supply. However, designing self-powered photodetectors presents challenges, particularly in material development, as not all materials can generate photocurrent without an external power source. The ability to convert light energy into electrical energy depends on the material's intrinsic properties. In this context, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) has proven to be a promising candidate due to its high electrical conductivity, tunability, photoconductive properties, scalability, environmental stability, and self-powered capability. These properties can be further optimized through the controlled reduction of graphene oxide. Utilizing these attributes, rGO-based self-powered photodetectors can achieve high performance and practicality, making them suitable for various optoelectronic applications, from wearable electronics to environmental monitoring. This review revisits recent advancements in rGO-based self-powered photodetectors, focusing on their efficiency and device architecture. Additionally, a comprehensive overview of their synthesis methods is provided. The review also discusses prospects and the challenges associated with designing self-powered photodetectors.