An overview on emerging photoelectrochemical self-powered ultraviolet photodetectors

Abstract

In recent years, as a new member of ultraviolet photodetectors (UV-PDs), photoelectrochemical UV-PDs (PEC UV-PDs) have received great attention. Compared to conventional photoconductors, PEC UV-PDs exhibit a number of merits, including low cost, environmentally friendly nature, being self-powered, and fast response. This tutorial review provides a comprehensive introduction to this research field, covering from the basics of performance evaluation of PEC UV-PDs, the state-of-the-art advances in structural design, electrolyte matching, and electrode fabrication of PEC UV-PDs, to the integration of multiple functions into a PEC UV-PD. In the end, we present our perspectives on the future development of PEC UV-PDs and highlight the key technical challenges in aiming to stimulate further developments in this research field.