Light Absorption Research Articles

Band Gap Engineering and Frequency Dispersive Dielectric Properties of Rare Earth (Sm3+) Modified Ba0.8Sr0.2TiO3 Ceramics for Potential Use as an Optoelectronic Materials

Lead free perovskite materials have the capability to be used in various multifunctional applications. In this regard, dielectric and light absorption properties of Sm modified Ba0.8-xSmxSr0.2TiO3 have been explored. The dielectric constant has been estimated to be 2788 for Ba0.77Sm0.03Sr0.2TiO3. The optical band gap of all prepared samples has been evaluated by employing Tauc plot method and observed that the band gap varies 3.13-2.97 eV with the increase in Sm concentration. In brief, the present study reports the physical properties of Ba0.8-xSmxSr0.2TiO3 ceramics which open window for possible use of it as lead-free optoelectronic material.

DFT simulations of the elastic, optoelectronic, and thermoelectric attributes of AOsCl3 (A = K, Rb), a robust and environmentally friendly perovskites for green energy implications.

Halide perovskites are an intriguing renewable energy materials that may assist in addressing the world's energy scarcity. The Goldsmith tolerance factor (0.99 and 1.00) and negative formation energy guarantee the examined materials' structural and thermodynamic stabilities. The Poisson's and Pugh's ratio proves the reviewed materials' ductile nature. K/RbOsCl3 has electronic band gaps of 1.37eV/1.39eV and the highest light absorption in the ultraviolet and visible areas, enhancing its efficacy for solar cells and other optoelectronics technologies. The highest Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity render these materials feasible for thermoelectric properties. KOsCl3 and RbOsCl3 exemplify figures of merit of 0.89 and 0.88, respectively, at the ambient temperature. Additionally, the Debye model was implemented to figure out thermodynamic parameters such as heat capacity, thermal expansion, Debye temperature, and Grüneisen parameter.

Heterogeneous Nucleation Regulation Amends Unfavorable Crystallization Orientation and Defect Features of Antimony Selenosulfide Film for High‐Efficient Planar Solar Cells

AbstractAntimony selenosulfide (Sb2(S,Se)3) has obtained widespread concern for photovoltaic applications as a light absorber due to superior photoelectric features. Accordingly, various deposition technologies have been developed in recent years, especially hydrothermal deposition method, which has achieved a great success. However, device performances are limited with severe carrier recombination, relating to the quality of absorber and interfaces. Herein, bulk and interface defects are simultaneously suppressed by regulating heterogeneous nucleation kinetics with barium dibromide (BaBr2) introduction. In details, the Br adsorbs and dopes on the polar planes of cadmium sulfide (CdS) buffer layer, promoting the exposure of nonpolar planes of CdS, which facilitates the favorable growth of [hk1]‐Sb2(S,Se)3 films possessing superior crystallinity and small interface defects. Additionally, the Se/S ratio is increased due to the replacement of Se by Br, causing a downshift of the Fermi levels with a benign band alignment and a shallow‐level defect. Moreover, Ba2+ is located at grain boundaries by coordination with S and Se ions, passivating grain boundary defects. Consequently, the efficiency is increased from 7.70 % to 10.12 %. This work opens an avenue towards regulating the heterogeneous nucleation kinetics of Sb2(S,Se)3 film deposited via hydrothermal deposition approach to optimize its crystalline orientation and defect features.

Cu2ZnSnS4 Nanoparticles as an Efficient Photocatalyst for the Degradation of Diclofenac in Water

Dangerous emerging water micropollutants like Diclofenac are harming ecosystems all over the planet, and immediate action is needed. The large bandgap photocatalysts conventionally used to degrade them need to be more efficient. Cu2ZnSnS4, a well-known light absorber in photovoltaics with a bandgap of 1.5 eV, can efficiently harvest an abundant portion of the solar spectrum. However, its photocatalytic activity has so far only been reported in relation to the degradation of organic dyes, and it is usually used as a benchmark to assess the activity of a photocatalyst without testing its actual potential on a hazardous water micropollutant conventionally encountered in primary and secondary waters. Here, we report the promising photocatalytic activity of Cu2ZnSnS4 nanoparticles in the degradation of Diclofenac, chosen as a benchmark for dangerous emerging water micropollutants.

Enhanced Photodetection Performance of InBiSe3/ReS2 Polarization-Sensitive Heterostructure Photodetectors.

Individual anisotropic two-dimensional (2D) materials have been widely applied for developing polarization-sensitive photodetectors, but they often suffer from limitations in photoresponsivity, detection range, etc. To overcome these challenges, van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures created by stacking different 2D materials provide a promising solution to enhance the performance of the photoelectronic device. In this work, a novel polarization-sensitive photodetector is developed by leveraging a heterojunction formed by InBiSe3 and anisotropic ReS2 nanoflakes. The InBiSe3/ReS2 vdW heterostructure devices exhibit excellent photodetection performance with a high photoresponsivity (R)of 7.68 AW-1 and a specific detectivity (D*)up to 1.26×1011 Jones as well as an external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 1790% under 532 nm laser irradiation. Additionally, benefiting from the broadband light absorption of InBiSe3 crystals together with the pronounced anisotropic electronic and optical characteristics of ReS2 flakes, the devices demonstrate a broad spectral response range from 402 to 1006 nm with a distinct polarization sensitivity of 1.24. Moreover, the devices exhibit extraordinary optical communication and high contrast polarimetric imaging capacity. This work demonstrates the enhanced photodetection performance with the InBiSe3/ReS2 vdW heterostructures operating in a photoconductive mode and illustrates promising application of these heterostructures in integrated optoelectronic systems.

Multifunctional Conductive MOFs Enhance the Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Efficiency of S-Type Ni3(HITP)2/TiO2 Heterojunctions.

Despite their high surface area, remarkable porosity, and efficient charge transfer mechanisms, conductive MOFs have found limited utilization within the domain of photocatalysis. In this study, we synthesized a cutting-edge S-type Ni3(HITP)2/TiO2 heterojunction photocatalyst exhibiting outstanding light harvesting and prolonged lifetime of photogenerated electrons through an in situ synthesis approach. Compared with TiO2, the composite materials not only significantly increase the specific surface area by 4.07 times but also expand the visible light absorption edge from 400 to 1100 nm. The hydrogen production rate of Ti/Ni-3 reached 4.927 mmol·g-1·h-1, which is 4.51 times that of TiO2. The S-type interface charge transfer pathway of the Ni3(HITP)2/TiO2 composite material was inferred by band structure, in situ XPS, SPV, and free radical capture, which improves charge separation and extends the carrier lifetime to undergo directional migration driven by an IEF. This is the main reason for the improved photocatalytic performance of Ni3(HITP)2/TiO2 composite materials.

Feasibility of Exceeding 20% Efficiency for Kesterite/c-Silicon Tandem Solar Cells Using an Alternative Buffer Layer: Optical and Electrical Analysis

Tandem solar cells have the potential to be more efficient than the Shockley–Queisser limit imposed on single junction cells. In this study, optical and electrical modeling based on experimental data were used to investigate the possibility of boosting the performance of kesterite/c-Si tandem solar cells by inserting an alternative nontoxic TiO2 buffer layer into the kesterite top subcell. First, with SCAPS-1D simulation, we determined the data reported for the best kesterite (CZTS (Eg = 1.5 eV)) device in the experiments to be used as a simulation baseline. After obtaining metric parameters close to those reported, the influence on the optoelectronic characteristics of replacing CdS with a TiO2 buffer layer was studied and analyzed. Different top subcell absorbers (CZTS0.8Se0.2 (Eg = 1.4 eV), CZTS (Eg = 1.5 eV), CZTS (Eg = 1.6 eV), and CZT0.6Ge0.4S (Eg = 1.7 eV)) with different thicknesses were investigated under AM1.5 illumination. Then, to achieve current matching conditions, the c-Si bottom subcell, with an efficiency at the level of commercially available subcells (19%), was simulated using various top subcells transmitting light calculated using the transfer matrix method (TMM) for optical modeling. Adding TiO2 significantly enhanced the electrical and optical performance of the kesterite top subcell due to the decrease in parasitic light absorption and heterojunction interface recombination. The best tandem device with a TiO2 buffer layer for the top subcell with an optimum bandgap equal to 1.7 eV (CZT0.6Ge0.4S4) and a thickness of 0.8 µm achieved an efficiency of approximately 20%. These findings revealed that using a TiO2 buffer layer is a promising way to improve the performance of kesterite/Si tandem solar cells in the future. However, important optical and electrical breakthroughs are needed to make kesterite materials viable for tandem applications.

Enhanced Photodegradation of Congo Red Using RSM‐Optimized TiO₂ on Borassus flabellifer Male Inflorescence Biochar

AbstractThis study explores the use of biochar, derived from Borassus flabellifer male inflorescence biomass as an alternative support for titanium dioxide (TiO2) to enhance its photocatalytic activity in degrading Congo red (CR) dye pollutant. The biochar was synthesized through controlled pyrolysis and subsequently combined with TiO2 to form a nanocomposite via hydrothermal method. The primary goal of creating this nanocomposite is to breakdown azo dyes, such as CR, using UV irradiation. Comprehensive characterization techniques, including XRD, FTIR, SEM coupled with EDAX, XPS, and UV‐DRS confirmed the successful integration of biochar with TiO2. The enhanced photocatalyst performance is attributed to the increased surface area, improved light absorption, and efficient charge separation facilitated by the biochar support. Furthermore, the experimental parameters were optimized using the response surface methodology (RSM). These studies demonstrated that the CR concentration, contact duration, pH, and photocatalyst quantity are critical factors in the photocatalytic oxidation process. The strong correlation coefficient for the first order model indicated that the data described by the RSM, agreed with the obtained results. This study highlights the potential of agricultural waste‐derived biochar as a cost‐effective and sustainable support for TiO₂, offering a viable solution for the remediation of dye‐contaminated water.

Micro/Nano Hierarchical Dumbbell-like and Micropapillae Structure Improves Light Absorption and Facilitates Anti-icing/Deicing Performance

Micro/Nano Hierarchical Dumbbell-like and Micropapillae Structure Improves Light Absorption and Facilitates Anti-icing/Deicing Performance

Honeycomb-like Microthermal Traps on a Photothermal Surface for Highly Efficient Solar Evaporation.

Solar evaporation is an ecofriendly and practical method for seawater desalination. The photothermal layer, which absorbs solar energy and converts it to thermal energy, plays a crucial role in enhancing the efficiency of the evaporator. However, structural design methods for photothermal layers are often complex and energy-intensive. This work reports a simple and efficient strategy for fabricating a necklace-like beaded nanofiber self-organized honeycomb-structured photothermal material. The honeycomb-like cavities form numerous microscale thermal traps, achieving thermal localization while maintaining high energy utilization efficiency, which not only increases light absorption but also facilitates the diffusion and escape of steam. Besides, the hydrophobic honeycomb layer separates the photothermal layer and the interface water, which reduces considerable heat conduction loss and achieves an effective antisalting performance. These functional features endow the evaporator with an evaporation efficiency of 92.9%, and the evaporation rate reaches 2.11 kg m-2 h-1 at 1 sun irradiance, demonstrating its great potential for practical solar-driven seawater desalination under natural sunlight.

Dual‐functional UiO‐66/g‐C3N4 composites for photocatalytic pesticide removal and in situ adsorption of phosphate byproducts in water

AbstractBACKGROUNDWith the increasing global demand for food, a significant amount of organophosphorus pesticides is applied to farmland, leading to pollution as they are discharged into natural water bodies with agricultural runoff. This study employed a coupling approach, utilizing a 6:4 mass ratio of zirconium‐based metal–organic framework UiO‐66 and g‐C3N4 through a grinding and annealing method to construct a Z‐type heterojunction composite material named UG 6:4.RESULTSThis material is employed for photocatalytic removal of the representative organophosphorus pesticide, dichlorvos (DDVP), from water and simultaneous in situ adsorption of its inorganic phosphorus byproducts. Results demonstrate that for initial DDVP concentrations below 5 mg L−1 (calculated as total phosphorus), both the mineralization rate under ultraviolet light irradiation with a wavelength of 365 nm and a power of 125 W and the adsorption rate of phosphorus were 100% when the pH was 6 and the UG 6:4 dosage was 0.2 g L−1. The sheet‐like g‐C3N4 tightly envelops the surface of UiO‐66, forming a Z‐scheme heterojunction. This structure imparts UG 6:4 with enhanced light absorption, faster generation and separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs compared to individual UiO‐66 or g‐C3N4, and the establishment of an internal electric field suppresses the recombination of photogenerated charge carriers.CONCLUSIONConsequently, UG 6:4 exhibits outstanding photocatalytic pesticide removal capabilities. Furthermore, UG 6:4 demonstrates specific adsorption of inorganic phosphorus through electrostatic attraction and ligand exchange. This study indicates that UG 6:4 is a promising dual‐functional photocatalytic adsorbent with excellent application prospects. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).

Organic Two-Photon-Absorbing Photosensitizers Can Overcome Competing Light Absorption in Organic Photocatalysis.

Conventional organic photocatalysis typically relies on ultraviolet and short-wavelength visible photons as the energy source. However, this approach often suffers from competing light absorption by reactants, products, intermediates, and co-catalysts, leading to reduced quantum efficiency and side reactions. To address this issue, we developed novel organic two-photon-absorbing (TPA) photosensitizers capable of functioning under deep red and near-infrared light irradiation. Three model reactions including cyclization, Sonogashira Csp2-Csp cross-coupling, and Csp2-N cross-coupling reactions were selected to compare the performance of the new photosensitizers under both blue (427 nm) and deep red (660 nm) light irradiation. The obtained results unambiguously prove that for reactions involving blue light-absorbing reactants, products, and/or co-catalysts, deep red light source resulted in better performance than blue light when utilizing our TPA photosensitizers. This work highlights the potential of our metal-free TPA photosensitizers as a sustainable and effective solution to mitigate the competing light absorption issue in photocatalysis, not only expanding the scope of organic photocatalysts but also reducing reliance on expensive Ru/Ir/Os-based photosensitizers.

Introducing Oxygen Vacancies into a WO3 Photoanode through NaH2PO2 Treatment for Efficient Water Splitting.

WO3, with a high light absorption capacity and a suitable band structure, is considered a promising photoanode material for photoelectrochemical water splitting. However, the poor photoinduced electron-hole separation efficiency limits its application. Herein, we report an effective strategy to suppress electron-hole recombination by introducing oxygen vacancies (OV) on the surface of a WO3 photoanode through NaH2PO2 treatment. An OV-enriched amorphous surface layer with a thickness of 4 nm is formed after NaH2PO2 treatment, which increases the charge carrier density and enlarges the electrochemical surface area of the photoanode. The charge separation and surface injection efficiencies are both improved after NaH2PO2 treatment, and the charge transfer process of the photoanode is accelerated consequently. The current density of the modified WO3 photoanode reaches 0.96 mA cm-2 at 1.23 V.

Strength in Numbers: A Giant NIR‐II AIEgen with One‐for‐All Phototheranostic Features for Exceptional Orthotopic Bladder Cancer Treatment

One‐for‐all phototheranostics that allows the simultaneous implementations of multiple optical imaging and therapeutic modalities by utilizing a single component, is growing into a sparkling frontier in cancer treatment. Of particular interest is phototheranostic agent with emission in the second near‐infrared (NIR‐II) window. Nevertheless, the practical uses of those conventional NIR‐II agents are severely impeded by their unsatisfactory features including insufficient stability, low synthetic yield, to be extended absorption/ emission wavelengths, and inefficient phototheranostic outcomes. Developing exceptional phototheranostic agents is thus highly desirable yet remains formidably challenging. Herein, we synthesized two novel N‐heteroacenes‐based NIR‐II luminogens, namely 2TT‐PPT and 4TT‐PBPT, by respectively employing pyrene‐fused phenaziothiadiazoles and pyrene‐fused bisphenaziothiadiazoles as acceptor skeletons. There is strength in numbers by increasing the fusing rings in N‐heteroacenes moieties and numbers of appended donors. Compared to less ring‐fused 2TT‐PPT, the giant molecule 4TT‐PBPT shows improved photophysical characteristics, such as enhanced light absorbance, red‐shifted wavelengths, higher brightness, favorable reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and elevated photothermal conversion efficiency, which render 4TT‐PBPT nanoparticles excellent fluorescence‐photoacoustic‐photothermal trimodal imaging guided photodynamic‐photothermal synergistic therapy for orthotopic bladder cancer.

Strength in Numbers: A Giant NIR-II AIEgen with One-for-All Phototheranostic Features for Exceptional Orthotopic Bladder Cancer Treatment.

One-for-all phototheranostics that allows the simultaneous implementations of multiple optical imaging and therapeutic modalities by utilizing a single component, is growing into a sparkling frontier in cancer treatment. Of particular interest is phototheranostic agent with emission in the second near-infrared (NIR-II) window. Nevertheless, the practical uses of those conventional NIR-II agents are severely impeded by their unsatisfactory features including insufficient stability, low synthetic yield, to be extended absorption/ emission wavelengths, and inefficient phototheranostic outcomes. Developing exceptional phototheranostic agents is thus highly desirable yet remains formidably challenging. Herein, we synthesized two novel N-heteroacenes-based NIR-II luminogens, namely 2TT-PPT and 4TT-PBPT, by respectively employing pyrene-fused phenaziothiadiazoles and pyrene-fused bisphenaziothiadiazoles as acceptor skeletons. There is strength in numbers by increasing the fusing rings in N-heteroacenes moieties and numbers of appended donors. Compared to less ring-fused 2TT-PPT, the giant molecule 4TT-PBPT shows improved photophysical characteristics, such as enhanced light absorbance, red-shifted wavelengths, higher brightness, favorable reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and elevated photothermal conversion efficiency, which render 4TT-PBPT nanoparticles excellent fluorescence-photoacoustic-photothermal trimodal imaging guided photodynamic-photothermal synergistic therapy for orthotopic bladder cancer.

Light Absorption Properties of Brown Carbon Aerosol During Winter at a Polluted Rural Site in the North China Plain

Brown carbon aerosols (BrC), a subfraction of organic aerosols, significantly influence the atmospheric environment, climate and human health. The North China Plain (NCP) is a hotspot for BrC research in China, yet our understanding of the optical properties of BrC in rural regions is still very limited. In this study, we characterize the chemical components and light absorption of BrC at a rural site during winter in the NCP. The average mass concentration of PM1 is 135.1 ± 82.3 μg/m3; organics and nitrate are the main components of PM1. The absorption coefficient of BrC (babs,BrC) is 53.6 ± 45.7 Mm−1, accounting for 39.5 ± 10.2% of the total light absorption at 370 nm. Diurnal variations reveal that the babs,BrC and organics are lower in the afternoon, attributed to the evolution of planetary boundary layers. BrC is mainly emitted locally, and both the aqueous phase and the photooxidation reactions can increase babs,BrC. Notably, the babs,BrC is reduced when RH > 65%. During foggy conditions, reactions in the aqueous phase facilitate the formation of secondary components and contribute to the bleaching of BrC. This process ultimately causes a decrease in both the absorption Ångström exponent (AAE) and the mass absorption efficiency (MAE). In contrast, the babs,BrC, along with AAE and MAE, rise significantly due to substantial primary emissions. This study enhances our understanding of the light absorption of BrC in rural polluted regions of the NCP.

Amorphous Exsolution of Fe3O4 Nanoparticles in SrTiO3: A Path to High Activity and Stability in Photoelectrochemical Water‐Splitting

Exsolution creates metal nanoparticles embedded within perovskite oxide matrices, promoting optimal exposure, even distribution, and robust interactions with the perovskite structure. Fe3O4, an oxidized form of Fe, is an attractive catalyst for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water‐splitting due to its strong light absorption, excellent electrical conductivity, and chemical stability. However, exsolving Fe is challenging, often requiring harsh reduction conditions that can decompose the perovskite. Herein, hybrid composites are fabricated for PEC water‐splitting by reductively annealing a solution of SrTiO3 photoanode and Fe cocatalyst precursors. In situ transmission electron microscopy reveals uniform, high‐density Fe particles exsolving from amorphous SrTiO3 films, followed by film‐crystallization at elevated temperatures. This innovative process extracts entire Fe dopants while maintaining structural stability, even at doping levels exceeding 50%. Upon air exposure, the embedded Fe particles oxidize to Fe3O4, forming a Schottky junction and enhancing light absorption. These conditions yield a high activity of 5.10 mA cm−2 at 1.23 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (an 11.86‐fold improvement over SrTiO3) from the 30% Fe‐doped SrTiO3, with excellent stability (97% retention) over 24 h. Theoretical calculations indicate that in the amorphous state, FeO bonds weaken while TiO bonds remain strong, promoting selective exsolution. The mechanisms driving amorphous exsolution versus crystal exsolution are elucidated.

MgCo2O4@g‐C3N4 Composite Induced Peroxymonosulfate Activation for Effective Degradation of Tetracycline Under Visible Light

AbstractThe composite Fenton catalyst was prepared by attaching MgCo2O4 to the surface of g‐C3N4 using a one‐pot method after preparing MgCo2O4 through co‐precipitation. The microstructure of the composites was analyzed using X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and other characterization methods. The catalytic activity of the composites towards tetracycline (TC) was studied, and a possible catalytic mechanism was proposed. The experimental results indicate that the degradation of TC by MgCo2O4@g‐C3N4 reached almost 99.0 % within 30 min in the presence of PMS and visible light. The combination of MgCo2O4 and g‐C3N4 improved the absorption of visible light, and the energy level‐matched heterojunction facilitated the separation of photogenerated electrons and holes, accelerating the redox cycle of ≡Co3+/≡Co2+. The free radical quenching experiment confirmed that the main active substances were free radical ⋅O2− and 1O2. The one‐step synthesis of composite catalysts exhibits high catalytic performance and good stability, offering a potential solution for the efficient treatment of tetracycline wastewater.

Enhanced photocatalytic performance of magnetically reclaimable N-doped g-C3N4/Fe3O4 nanocomposites for efficient tetracycline degradation

The growing environmental challenge posed by the persistence of tetracycline (TC) antibiotics in natural waters is of increasing concern. To address this, there is an imperative need for advanced methods to mitigate TC residues. Herein, we demonstrate the preparation of nitrogen-doped graphitic carbon nitride integrated with magnetic Fe3O4 (N-g-CN/Fe3O4) composites, showcasing narrow band gaps optimized for TC degradation. These advanced materials, conceived through a thermal poly-condensation approach, utilize citric acid and melamine as precursors for nitrogen and g-CN, respectively. These composites exhibit a face-centered cubic architecture, with particle dimensions between 8 to 12 nm and encompassing both meso and microporous structure. The results of the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis indicated specific surface areas of 6.73 m²/g for g-CN, 69.80 m²/g for N-g-CN, 62.55 m²/g for Fe3O4, and 148.32 m²/g for N-g-CN/Fe3O4. These values demonstrate an increase in surface area upon the incorporation of heteroatom of nitrogen and Fe3O4, into the g-CN matrix, thus influence the photocatalytic performance. Under solar light exposure, the synthesized photocatalysts demonstrated photocatalytic activity with a degradation efficiency of 94.16 % within 120 min. Specifically, the N-g-CN/Fe3O4 (22.5 %) composites exhibited remarkable photocatalytic efficiency due to the narrow band gap energy between N-g-CN and Fe3O4, enhanced light absorption in the visible range, and effective charge carrier separation and transportation to the pollutants. N-g-CN/Fe3O4 (22.5 %) composites demonstrated good recyclability (five cycles), magnetic sustainability, and stability for the degradation of TC and emerging pollutants from wastewater using photocatalysts. Similarly, FGCN composites exhibited good recyclability (five cycles), magnetic retrievability, and stability for degrading organic and emerging pollutants from wastewater through photocatalysis. This efficiency can be attributed to the harmonious combination of nitrogen doping, refined surface area, and the natural heterojunction between N-g-CN and Fe3O4.

Recent Advances in Black Silicon Surface Modification for Enhanced Light Trapping in Photodetectors

The intricate nanostructured surface of black silicon (BSi) has advanced photodetector technology by enhancing light absorption. Herein, we delve into the latest advancements in BSi surface modification techniques, specifically focusing on their profound impact on light trapping and resultant photodetector performance improvement. Established methods such as metal-assisted chemical etching, electrochemical etching, reactive ion etching, plasma etching, and laser ablation are comprehensively analyzed, delving into their mechanisms and highlighting their respective advantages and limitations. We also explore the impact of BSi on the emerging applications in silicon (Si)-based photodetectors, showcasing their potential for pushing the boundaries of light-trapping efficiency. Throughout this review, we critically evaluate the trade-offs between fabrication complexity and performance enhancement, providing valuable insights for future development in this rapidly evolving field. This knowledge on the BSi surface modification and its applications in photodetectors can play a crucial role in future implementations to substantially boost light trapping and the performance of Si-based optical detection devices consequently.