Achievement of a UV Photodetector Based on TiO2/CuMnO2 Heterostructures: A New Strategy | Chapter 8 | Chemical and Materials Sciences: Developments and Innovations Vol. 10

Recently, UV sensors and photodetectors have drawn growing attention due to their wide applications in environmental safety, biological research, medicine, gas sensors, optical communication, astronomical studies, space exploration, etc. Within this paper, a UV photodetector based on n-type TiO₂ and p-type CuMnO₂ heterojunction was successfully achieved using a simple, reproducible and cost-effective two-step method: thermal oxidation growth of TiO₂ layers on titanium foil and deposition of CuMnO₂ thin films by the Doctor Blade technique, respectively. To investigate the structural and morphological properties of the as-synthesized heterostructures, XRD, SEM/EDX and AFM techniques were used. Therefore, XRD analysis confirmed the phase stability and purity of the structures, while SEM and AFM revealed the uniform coverage of CuMnO₂ on the polyhedral TiO₂ surface. Based on Mott-Schottky results, the optoelectronic performance and the flat band potential are influenced by the thickness and roughness of the TiO₂ layer. Electrical measurements demonstrated a diode-like behavior with the turn-on voltage increasing proportionally to the structure of the TiO₂ layer, therefore the S2a sensor showed optimal performance with a UV sensitivity of 4.99, a response capacity of 100.6 mA mW⁻¹ cm², and a fast response time of 1.56 s. The results indicate that the proposed heterojunction offers a promising solution for selective and efficient UV light detection systems. In conclusion, UV photodetectors based on n-TiO₂ and a p-CuMnO₂ heterojunction were successfully obtained via a simple, reproducible and inexpensive method, and have great potential applications in light detection systems.

 

Author (s) Details

 

Mircea Nicolaesc
Condensed Matter Department, National Institute for Research and Development in Electrochemistry and Condensed Matter, 300224 Timisoara, Romania and Department of Applied Chemistry and Engineering of Inorganic Compounds and Environment, Politehnica University of Timisoara, 300223 Timisoara, Romania.

 

Corina Orha
Condensed Matter Department, National Institute for Research and Development in Electrochemistry and Condensed Matter, 300224 Timisoara, Romania.

 

Mina-Ionela Morariu (Popescu)
Condensed Matter Department, National Institute for Research and Development in Electrochemistry and Condensed Matter, 300224 Timisoara, Romania and Department of Applied Chemistry and Engineering of Inorganic Compounds and Environment, Politehnica University of Timisoara, 300223 Timisoara, Romania.

 

Viorel Serban
Department of Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University Politehnica of Timisoara, Mihai Viteazu Street, No. 1, 300222 Timisoara, Romania.

 

Simona Caprarescu
Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, 1-7 Polizu Street, 011061 Bucharest, Romania.

 

Carmen Lazau
Condensed Matter Department, National Institute for Research and Development in Electrochemistry and Condensed Matter, 300224 Timisoara, Romania.

 

Cornelia Bandas
Condensed Matter Department, National Institute for Research and Development in Electrochemistry and Condensed Matter, 300224 Timisoara, Romania.

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/cmsdi/v10/4345