Facile Preparation of Ternary Cd_0.9Pb_0.1Se Quantum Dots Toward Photoelectrochemical Photodetectors

Abstract

Due to the inherent high dark current of photoelectrochemical (PEC)‐type photodetectors (PDs), there is a tricky challenge to detect weak light. In this work, high‐quality Cd0.9Pb0.1Se quantum dots (CPS QDs) are prepared by thermal injection method, with horizontal size of 6.3 nm and thickness of 3.5 nm. The CPS QDs are directly utilized to construct the working electrode of PEC‐type PDs. The effects of experimental parameters on the photo‐response behavior are systematically studied, and optimized photocurrent density of 7.1 µA cm−2 and photo‐responsivity (Rph) of 2.75 mA·W−1 are achieved. Most importantly, the obvious photocurrent signals are observed under a light power density as low as 5.6 µW cm−2. For this interesting weak light detection, apparent Rph of 6.96 mA·W−1, detectivity of 1.2 × 109 Jones, and external quantum efficiency of 2.37% are achieved. Therefore, this work not only develops CPS QDs‐based PDs but also provides an example for PEC‐type PDs in weak light detection.