Self-powered UV photodetector based on heterostructured TiO2 nanowire arrays and polyaniline nanoflower arrays

• DOI: 10.1016/j.synthmet.2014.12.030
• Publication Date: 2015-01-02T15:30:49Z
• Authors: Xihong Zu; Huan Wang; Guobin Yi; Zheng Zhang; Xuemei Jiang; Jian Gong; Hongsheng Luo
• Keywords: Photocurrent; Nanoflower; Ultraviolet; Photoconductivity

Abstract A novel self-powered ultraviolet (UV) photodetector with low cost and large area was successfully constructed which was composed of heterostructured arrays of TiO 2 nanowires (NWs)/polyaniline nanoflowers (PANI NFs)/TiO 2 NWs. The heterostructured arrays of TiO 2 NWs/PANI NFs/TiO 2 NWs were prepared by combining the hydrothermal and in-situ multiple wet chemical deposition methods. The control methods for the morphology and thickness of PANI on TiO 2 NW array were systematically investigated, and their application in UV photodetector was discussed. The results showed that PANI NFs on TiO 2 NW array could be obtained by multiple deposition method, and the thickness of PANI NF layer can be adjusted. Furthermore, compared with bare TiO 2 NW array, the sensitivity and photocurrent of the UV photodetectors based on TiO 2 NWs/PANI NFs/TiO 2 NWs heterostructured arrays were both improved greatly at 0 V bias due to the two heterojunctions of n-type TiO 2 NWs and p-type PANI NFs, and the intensity of photocurrent could be improved with the thickness of PANI layer increasing.