Abstract
Photoelectrochemical cell-typed self-powered UV detectors have attracted intensive research interest due to their low cost, simple fabrication process, and fast response. In this paper, SnO2-TiO2 nanomace arrays composed of SnO2 nanotube trunk and TiO2 nanobranches were prepared using soft chemical methods, and an environment-friendly self-powered UV photodetector using this nanostructure as the photoanode was assembled. Due to the synergistic effect of greatly accelerated electron-hole separation, enhanced surface area, and reduced charge recombination provided by SnO2-TiO2 nanomace array, the nanostructured detector displays an excellent performance over that based on bare SnO2 arrays. The impact of the growing time of TiO2 branches on the performance of UV photodetector was systematically studied. The device based on optimized SnO2-TiO2 nanomace arrays exhibits a high responsivity of 0.145 A/W at 365 nm, a fast rising time of 0.037 s, and a decay time of 0.015 s, as well as excellent spectral selectivity. This self-powered photodetector is a promising candidate for high-sensitivity, high-speed UV-detecting application.
Highlights
Ultraviolet photodetectors (UVPDs) have been widely used in many fields, such as remote control, chemical analysis, water purification, flame detection, early missile plume detection, and secure space-to-space communication [1]
Morphology of SnO2 nanotube arrays (SNAs) and SnO2-TiO2 nanomace arrays (STNMAs) was examined by a FESEM
It can be clearly seen that the SnO2 nanotubes grow almost vertically to the fluorinedoped tin oxide (FTO) substrate and are covered with a large number of TiO2 nanobranches to form a nanomace structure
Summary
Ultraviolet photodetectors (UVPDs) have been widely used in many fields, such as remote control, chemical analysis, water purification, flame detection, early missile plume detection, and secure space-to-space communication [1]. Self-powered UVPDs based on PEC device have attracted intensive research interest. Self-powered UVPDs based on PEC structure have been fabricated using a liquid I−/I3− redox couple electrolyte [14–18] and a nanocrystalline TiO2 film [14] or a multilayer TiO2 nanorod-assembled cloth/nanorod array-based electrode [15]. Impressive performances were observed in these UVPDs. liquid I−/I3− redox couple electrolyte is not ideal for long-term operation: it is highly corrosive, volatile, and photoreactive, interacting with common metallic components and sealing materials. Liquid I−/I3− redox couple electrolyte is not ideal for long-term operation: it is highly corrosive, volatile, and photoreactive, interacting with common metallic components and sealing materials From this point, water-based electrolytes may be the most safe, most stable, and most environment-friendly electrolyte.
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