Self-powered, flexible ultraviolet photodetector based on ZnO/Te all nanowires heterojunction structure

Self-powered and flexible photodetectors exhibit great potential in the application of optical communication, deep space exploration, and other related fields. Herein, a self-powered ultraviolet photodetector based on ZnO nanowires/Te nanowires heterojunction has been prepared by two-step vacuum filtration method, which also has superior flexibility and fast response speed. The obtained photodetector has a high photocurrent (about 1 μA) at 5 V bias under 365 nm UV light illumination and a fast response speed (3.47/0.13 s). Even if the bending angle reaches 90°, its photocurrent still maintains about 0.5 μA under 5 V bias, showing superior flexibility. Under 0 V bias, the photocurrent of the photodetector is 0.18 nA and the response time is 65/140 ms, displaying its good self-powered characteristic and fast response speed. These superior properties are caused by the flexibility of ZnO nanowire film and Te nanowire film, and the heterojunction is formed between ZnO and Te. The obtained results provide a solid foundation for the further development of flexible optoelectronic devices based on ZnO nanostructures. (© 2023 Wiley‐VCH GmbH)