One-dimensional TeSe nano-heterojunction: formation, calculations, carrier dynamics, and application in broad-spectrum photodetectors

Abstract

Seawater contains many electrolytes, is abundant in nature, environmentally friendly, and chemically stable, and exhibits substantial potential for replacement of traditional inorganic electrolytes in photoelectrochemical-type photodetectors (PDs). Herein, one-dimensional semiconductor TeSe nanorods (NRs) with core–shell nanostructures were reported, and their morphology, optical behavior, electronic structure, and photoinduced carrier dynamics were systematically investigated. As photosensitizers, the as-resultant TeSe NRs were assembled into PDs, and the influence of the bias potential, light wavelength and intensity, and the concentration of seawater on the photo-response of TeSe NR-based PDs was evaluated. These PDs exhibited favorable photo-response performance upon illumination with light in the ultraviolet–visible–near-infrared (UV–Vis–NIR) range and even simulated sunlight. Moreover, the TeSe NR-based PDs also exhibited a long duration and cycling stability of its on–off switching and might be useful in marine monitoring.