Triboelectric-polarization-enhanced high sensitive ZnO UV sensor. (August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Hu; Zhao, Luming; Meng, Jianping; Pan, Caofeng; Zhang, Yan; Zhang, Yaming; Liu, Zhuo; Zou, Yang; Fan, Yubo; Wang, Zhong Lin; Li, Zhou
• Is Part Of: Nano today. Volume 33(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-08
• Subjects: Triboelectric voltage -- Schottky barrier height -- UV detection -- Triboelectric nanogenerator; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanosciences -- Périodiques; 620.505
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nantod.2020.100873
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1748-0132

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Triboelectric polarization effectively lowered the Schottky barrier height (SBH) of contact interface between silver paste and zinc oxide nanowire (Ag//ZnO). The on/off ratio was greatly increased by 17.6-fold for this UV sensor. The response rate was significantly shortened from seconds to milliseconds. Highlights: Triboelectric technology as a new method was introduced to tune the SBH of ZnO//Ag contact. Highly enhanced UV response with Ag//ZnO//Ag sensor was achieved after tuning its SBH. The on/off ratio of Ag//ZnO//Ag sensor was greatly increased from 590 to 10400. The photoresponse rates were enhanced by 645 % at raising edge and 716 % at falling edge of UV response curve. Abstract: Ultraviolet (UV) detection is of important significance in protecting environment, human health and related scenarios. Schottky barrier height (SBH) plays a key role in determining the performance of UV sensors. Herein, triboelectric voltage was proposed to lower the SBH of zinc oxide nano/micro wire and silver paste (ZnO//Ag) UV sensor. SBH was flexibly lowered by different times of triboelectric voltage treatment. Greatly improved UV response was achieved based on Schottky-to-Schottky contact after lowering its SBH, its photoresponse rates were enhanced by 645 % at raising edge from 6.77 s to 1.05 s, and 716 % at falling edge from 2.72 s to 0.38 s. The on/off ratio was greatly increased from 590 to 10400. Based on these results, the triboelectric technology may provide new views for tuning performance of Schottky-junction-based sensors. The developed tunable ZnO//Ag sensor combined with triboelectric voltage opens up possibility for future high sensitive UV sensing systems.