Sandwiched assembly of ZnO nanowires between graphene layers for a self-powered and fast responsive ultraviolet photodetector

Boruah, Buddha Deka and Mukherjee, Anwesha and Misra, Abha (2016) Sandwiched assembly of ZnO nanowires between graphene layers for a self-powered and fast responsive ultraviolet photodetector. In: NANOTECHNOLOGY, 27 (9).

PDF Nan_27_9_ 095205_2016.pdf - Published Version Restricted to Registered users only Download (2MB) | Request a copy

Abstract

A heterostructure of graphene and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires (NWs) is fabricated by sandwiching an array of ZnO NWs between two graphene layers for an ultraviolet (UV) photodetector. This unique structure allows NWs to be in direct contact with the graphene layers, minimizing the effect of the substrate or metal electrodes. In this device, graphene layers act as highly conducting electrodes with a high mobility of the generated charge carriers. An excellent sensitivity is demonstrated towards UV illumination, with a reversible photoresponse even for a short period of UV illumination. Response and recovery times of a few milliseconds demonstrated a much faster photoresponse than most of the conventional ZnO nanostructure-based photodetectors. It is shown that the generation of a built-in electric field between the interface of graphene and ZnO NWs effectively contributes to the separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs for photocurrent generation without applying any external bias. Upon application of external bias voltage, the electric field further increases the drift velocity of photogenerated electrons by reducing the charge recombination rates, and results in an enhancement of the photocurrent. Therefore, the graphene-based heterostructure (G/ZnO NW/G) opens avenues to constructing a novel heterostructure with a combination of two functionally dissimilar materials.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	NANOTECHNOLOGY
Publisher:	IOP PUBLISHING LTD
Additional Information:	Copy right for this article belongs to the IOP PUBLISHING LTD, TEMPLE CIRCUS, TEMPLE WAY, BRISTOL BS1 6BE, ENGLAND
Keywords:	graphene; zinc oxide nanowire; heterostructure; photodetector
Department/Centre:	Division of Physical & Mathematical Sciences > Instrumentation Appiled Physics
Date Deposited:	17 Mar 2016 12:12
Last Modified:	17 Mar 2016 12:12
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/53388

Actions (login required)

View Item