In this research, we present an innovative paper electronics
device
featuring Bi2S3 nanorods (NRs) seamlessly integrated
into a chemically oxidized p-TSA-conjugated polyaniline matrix. This
innovative combination aims to achieve remarkable external quantum
efficiency for energy conversion. The incorporation of Bi2S3 nanorods into the polyaniline matrix facilitates the
creation of interconnected microlevel junctions between these materials,
all of which are assembled on a flexible and biodegradable cellulose
paper substrate to form the device. As per XPS analysis, Bi 4f7/2 and Bi 4f5/2 levels were identified at binding
energies of 156.88 and 161.98 eV, respectively, indicating the doublet
splitting of Bi atom. Furthermore, the Tauc plot, derived from UV–visible
absorption analysis, revealed that the optical band gap of Bi2S3-polyaniline stood at 2.64 eV. This metallopolymeric
energy device shows a large photoresponsivity of 16.85 A/W with a
sufficiently high external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 3.93 ×
103% at an extremely low drift potential of 0.1 V and small
optical power of 50 μW/cm2. Additionally, the device
exhibits notable responsiveness under flexibility without the use
of any binder in the device fabrication process. Capacitance measurements,
trap depth energy, and trap density with respect to frequency were
carried out to better substantiate the photoconduction phenomenon.