Visible to Mid-Infrared Photodetection Based on Flexible 3D Graphene/Organic Hybrid Photodetector with Ultrahigh Responsivity at Ambient Conditions

Abstract

Near-infrared (NIR) and mid-infrared (MIR) photodetectors have wide applications in biometrics, military, industry, etc. NIR and MIR organic photodetectors (OPD) require narrow-bandgap semiconductors to achieve efficient light absorption. However, it is still a challenge to synthesize organic materials with efficient absorption region above 1000 nm. Herein, a flexible hybrid OPD has been designed and fabricated by integrating organic materials with three-dimensional graphene (3DG) film, and the photodetector can detect light from visible to MIR at room temperature with an outstanding responsivity of 108 A W–1 in the NIR region (1000 nm). Moreover, the hybrid device can detect picowatt-level light with ultrahigh responsivity of 5.8 × 105 A W–1 and specific detectivity of 3 × 1015 Jones in the visible region. Furthermore, the 3DG film/organic hybrid detector is well compatible with flexible substrates and opens up a novel approach to developing flexible photodetectors with high responsivity in a wide spectrum range, suggesting possible potential applications in flexible electronics.

3D Graphene Foam by Chemical Vapor Deposition: Synthesis, Properties, and Energy-Related Applications

“…Although the following studies did not employ template-assisted CVD-grown graphene, they have clearly proven the broadband photoresponsivity of 3D graphene networks [ 87 , 88 ].…”

“…In a second study, a 3DG-sponge with visible to mid-infrared (MIR) responsivity was prepared by reduction of GO between two glass slides in an autoclave at 180 °C for 12 h [ 88 ]. Given the large noise and high dark current of graphene, as well as the low responsivity of 3DG sponge-based photoconductors, Ge et al suggested a new method to prepare 3DG-sponge for broadband detection.…”

“… ( a ) Schematic of the 3DG film/organic photodetector; ( b ) Cross-sectional SEM image of the 3DG film/organic photodetector; and temporal photoresponse curves of the 3DG film/organic photodetector under 520 nm ( c ) and 1000 nm ( d ) illumination with different light intensities at −1 V. Reprinted with permission from ref. [ 88 ]. Copyright 2022 American Chemical Society.…”

Recent Progress on Graphene Flexible Photodetectors

“…However, due to its inherent fragility, alternatives to this material have been developed, such as conductive polymers and metal nanowires, among which transparent conductive graphene films have been widely studied in recent years. The functional components in flexible PDs include materials such as two-dimensional (2D) perovskites and 2D metal halides [ 8 , 9 ]. Flexible PDs should maintain stable performance during repeated bending, folding, or stretching [ 10 ], placing a high demand on the mechanical stability and flexibility of their component electrodes and functional materials.…”

“…Another important strategy is to develop graphene hybrid structures. Graphene can be used as a light-absorbing layer or a transparent conductive layer in devices [ 9 ]. It can be doped or heterocomposited with many semiconductors (SCs), quantum dots (QDs), transition metal dihalides (TMDs), and perovskites that exhibit excellent photoelectric performance.…”