Enhanced-Performance Self-Powered Solar-Blind UV-C Photodetector Based on n-ZnO Quantum Dots Functionalized by p-CuO Micro-pyramids

Norah M. Alwadai, Somak Mitra, Mohamed N. Hedhili, Hadeel Alamoudi, Bin Xin, Naresh Alaal, Iman S. Roqan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

51 Scopus citations

Abstract

Smart solar-blind UV-C band photodetectors suffer from low responsivity in a self-powered mode. Here, we address this issue by fabricating a novel enhanced solar-blind UV-C photodetector array based on solution-processed n-ZnO quantum dots (QDs) functionalized by p-CuO micro-pyramids. Self-assembled catalyst-free p-CuO micro-pyramid arrays are fabricated on a pre-ablated Si substrate by pulsed laser deposition without a need for a catalyst layer or seeding, while the solution-processed n-ZnO QDs are synthesized by the femtosecond-laser ablation in liquid technique. The photodetector is fabricated by spray-coating ZnO QDs on a CuO micro-pyramid array. The photodetector performance is optimized via a p-n junction structure as both p-ZnO QDs and p-CuO micro-pyramid layers are characterized by wide band gap energies. Two photodetectors (with and without CuO micro-pyramids) are fabricated to show the role of p-CuO in enhancing the device performance. The n-ZnO QD/p-CuO micro-pyramid/Si photodetector is characterized by a superior photo-responsivity of ∼956 mA/W at 244 nm with a faster photoresponse (
Original languageEnglish (US)
JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 8 2021

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Materials Science

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