Defect-mediated self-powered ultraviolet photodetection of chemically tailored tin-oxide nanoparticles

We have reported about the synthesis of tin oxide (SnO₂) nanoparticles using simple and low-cost hydrothermal method followed by fabrication of self-powered ultraviolet (UV) photodetectors (PDs). The structural and morphological characteristics of the nanoparticles have been analyzed with X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy techniques. In addition, the existence of native defects in SnO₂ has been realized from spectroscopic techniques. Further, it has been found that the nanoparticles can exhibit significant open-circuit voltage, and the observation of enhanced open-circuit voltage under illumination of UV light makes the system promising for self-powered (SP) photodetectors. The origin of the self-powered UV photodetection has been assigned to capturing of photogenerated carriers by the native defects of SnO₂ nanoparticles. The observation of self-power UV detection in such system can lead to the fabrication of futuristic UV detectors without bothering the existing issue of energy crisis. (author)