Growth of Wafer-Scale Standing Layers of WS₂ for Self-Biased High-Speed UV–Visible–NIR Optoelectronic Devices

This work describes the wafer-scale standing growth of (002)-plane-oriented layers of WS₂ and their suitability for use in self-biased broad-band high-speed photodetection. The WS₂ layers are grown using large-scale sputtering, and the effects of the processing parameters such as the deposition temperature, deposition time, and sputtering power are studied. The structural, physical, chemical, optical, and electrical properties of the WS₂ samples are also investigated. On the basis of the broad-band light absorption and high-speed in-plane carrier transport characteristics of the WS₂ layers, a self-biased broad-band high-speed photodetector is fabricated by forming a type-II heterojunction. This WS₂/Si heterojunction is sensitive to ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared photons and shows an ultrafast photoresponse (1.1 μs) along with an excellent responsivity (4 mA/W) and a specific detectivity (∼1.5 × 10¹⁰ Jones). A comprehensive Mott–Schottky analysis is performed to evaluate the parameters of the device, such as the frequency-dependent flat-band potential and carrier concentration. Further, the photodetection parameters of the device, such as its linear dynamic range, rising time, and falling time, are evaluated to elucidate its spectral and transient characteristics. The device exhibits remarkably improved transient and spectral photodetection performances as compared to those of photodetectors based on atomically thin WS₂ and two-dimensional materials. These results suggest that the proposed method is feasible for the manipulation of vertically standing WS₂ layers that exhibit high in-plane carrier mobility and allow for high-performance broad-band photodetection and energy device applications

Silver-Nanowire-Embedded Transparent Metal-Oxide Heterojunction Schottky Photodetector

We report a self-biased and transparent Cu₄O₃/TiO₂ heterojunction for ultraviolet photodetection. The dynamic photoresponse improved 8.5 × 10⁴% by adding silver nanowires (AgNWs) Schottky contact and maintaining 39% transparency. The current density–voltage characteristics revealed a strong interfacial electric field, responsible for zero-bias operation. In addition, the dynamic photoresponse measurement endorsed the effective holes collection by embedded-AgNWs network, leading to fast rise and fall time of 0.439 and 0.423 ms, respectively. Similarly, a drastic improvement in responsivity and detectivity of 187.5 mAW^–1 and of 5.13 × 10⁹ Jones, is observed, respectively. The AgNWs employed as contact electrode can ensure high-performance for transparent and flexible optoelectronic applications

Compliance-Free Multileveled Resistive Switching in a Transparent 2D Perovskite for Neuromorphic Computing

We demonstrate the pulsed voltage tunable multileveled resistive switching (RS) across a promising transparent energy material of (C₄H₉NH₃)₂PbBr₄. The X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy results confirm the growth of (001) plane-orientated nanostructures of (C₄H₉NH₃)₂PbBr₄ with an average size of ∼360 nm. The device depicts optical transmittance higher than 70% in the visible region and efficient absorbance in the ultraviolet region. The current–voltage measurement shows the bipolar RS. In addition, depending on the magnitude of applied electric pulse, the current across the device can be flipped in four different levels, which remain stable for long time, indicating multimode RS. Further, the current across the device increases gradually by applying continuous pulses, similar to the biological synapses. The observed results are attributed to the electric field-induced ionic migration across the (C₄H₉NH₃)₂PbBr₄. The existing study should open a new avenue to apply this promising energy material of perovskite for multifunctional advanced devices

Thermally Stable Silver Nanowires-Embedding Metal Oxide for Schottky Junction Solar Cells

Thermally stable silver nanowires (AgNWs)-embedding metal oxide was applied for Schottky junction solar cells without an intentional doping process in Si. A large scale (100 mm²) Schottky solar cell showed a power conversion efficiency of 6.1% under standard illumination, and 8.3% under diffused illumination conditions which is the highest efficiency for AgNWs-involved Schottky junction Si solar cells. Indium–tin–oxide (ITO)-capped AgNWs showed excellent thermal stability with no deformation at 500 °C. The top ITO layer grew in a cylindrical shape along the AgNWs, forming a teardrop shape. The design of ITO/AgNWs/ITO layers is optically beneficial because the AgNWs generate plasmonic photons, due to the AgNWs. Electrical investigations were performed by Mott–Schottky and impedance spectroscopy to reveal the formation of a single space charge region at the interface between Si and AgNWs-embedding ITO layer. We propose a route to design the thermally stable AgNWs for photoelectric device applications with investigation of the optical and electrical aspects