Advances in Self-Powered Ultraviolet Photodetectors Based on P-N Heterojunction Low-Dimensional Nanostructures

Abstract

Self-powered ultraviolet (UV) photodetectors have attracted considerable attention in recent years because of their vast applications in the military and civil fields. Among them, self-powered UV photodetectors based on p-n heterojunction low-dimensional nanostructures are a very attractive research field due to combining the advantages of low-dimensional semiconductor nanostructures (such as large specific surface area, excellent carrier transmission channel, and larger photoconductive gain) with the feature of working independently without an external power source. In this review, a selection of recent developments focused on improving the performance of self-powered UV photodetectors based on p-n heterojunction low-dimensional nanostructures from different aspects are summarized. It is expected that more novel, dexterous, and intelligent photodetectors will be developed as soon as possible on the basis of these works.

Keywords: dimensional nanostructures; p-n heterojunction; self-powered; ultraviolet photodetectors.

Figure 1

Schematic diagram of p-n junction.

Figure 2

(a) Self-powered UV photodetector based on p-GaN film/n-ZnO film heterojunction. Reprinted with a permission from reference [40]. Copyright 2008 American Chemical Society; (b) self-powered UV photodetector based on p-GaN film/PVA-ZnO colloidal nanoparticles heterojunction. Reprinted with a permission from reference [42]. Copyright 2013 American Institute of Physics; (c) self-powered UV photodetector based on n-ZnO/p-NiO core–shell heterojunction nanowire arrays. Reprinted with a permission from reference [43]. Copyright 2013 The Royal Society of Chemistry.

Figure 3

(a) Self-powered ZnO-Nanorod/CuSCN UV photodetector exhibiting rapid response. Reprinted with a permission from reference [75]. Copyright 2013 Wiley-VCH; (b) high-performance self-powered UV photodetector based on p-CuZnS/n-TiO₂ core–shell heterojunction. Reprinted with a permission from reference [76]. Copyright 2018 Wiley-VCH; (c) self-powered photodetector based on core–shell ZnO-Co₃O₄ p-n heterojunction nanowire arrays, Reprinted with a permission from reference [77]. Copyright 2019 American Chemical Society.

Figure 4

(a) High-sensitivity, broadband photodetectors based on organic nanowire/crystalline silicon p-n heterojunction. Reprinted with a permission from reference [83]. Copyright 2015 American Chemical Society; (b) high-responsivity and high rejection ratio self-powered solar blind UV photodetector based on PEDOT:PSS/β-Ga₂O₃ organic/inorganic p-n junction. Reprinted with a permission from reference [84]. Copyright 2019 American Chemical Society.

Figure 5

(a) Highly enhanced self-powered dual wavelength photodetector based on ZnO@CdS coreshell nanorod arrays. Reprinted with a permission from reference [87]. Copyright 2015 American Chemical Society; (b) self-powered ultraviolet photodetector with superhigh photoresponsivity based on the GaN/Sn:Ga₂O₃ p-n junction. Reprinted with a permission from reference [88]. Copyright 2018 American Chemical Society.

Figure 6

(a) High-performance self-powered p-CuZnS/n-GaN UV photodetectors with ultrahigh on/off ratio. Reprinted with a permission from reference [95]. Copyright 2021 The Royal Society of Chemistry; (b) high-performance self-powered ultraviolet photodetector based on nano-porous GaN and CoPc p–n vertical heterojunction. Reprinted with a permission from reference [97]. Copyright 2019 Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute; (c) Al_xGa_1-xN-based back-illuminated solar-blind photodetectors with external quantum efficiency. Reprinted with a permission from reference [101]. Copyright 2013 American Institute of Physics.