Ultrasensitive broadband photodetector using electrostatically conjugated MoS₂-upconversion nanoparticle nanocomposite

Hybrid or composite nanomaterials have emerged that demonstrates superior optoelectronic performance over pure nanomaterials that lacks broadband usage, or responsivity, or both, mainly because of the limitation of the collection of photogenerated carriers. We have addressed this problem by using a composite of MoS₂ and a multi-photon absorbing lanthanide doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs), that emits in the visible, to make a photodetector (PD) device with ultrahigh broadband responsivity. Single flake MoS₂ electrostatically conjugated with UCNPs were used to fabricate the PD device with platinum, and gold contacts. The device was irradiated with UV-to-NIR illumination, at different power density, to study its broadband photosensitivity. Photoresponsivities in excess of 100 A W^-1 is easily obtained; a highest responsivity of 1254 A W^-1 is reported for 980 nm at 1.0 V bias. An unprecedented normalized gain of 7.12 × 10^{− 4} cm² V^{− 1}, and Detectivity of 1.05 × 10¹⁵ Jones (@980 nm, 1 V) was obtained which is, to the best of our knowledge, the highest reported till date for this device class. Under vacuum conditions even higher values of these device parameters were obtained, while losing on the response speeds. The photoresponsivity in the nanocomposite followed the trend of the convoluted optical absorption of the individual components. Real application of the PD device was demonstrated using non-laser domestic appliances such as sodium vapour lamp, mobile phone flash light, and air-condition remote controller.