Nanohybrid Photodetectors

Abstract

Nanohybrids represent a larger variety of functional materials consisting of one or more types of low-dimensional semiconductor nanostructures, such as quantum dots, nanowires, nanotubes, two-dimensional atomic materials (graphene, transition-metal dichalcogenides, etc) interfaced with one another, and/or with conventional material matrices (bulks, films, polymers, etc). Heterojunction interfaces are characteristic in nanohybrids and play a critical role facilitating synergistic coupling of constituent materials of different functionalities, resulting in excellent electronic, optoelectronic and mechanical properties. Therefore, nanohybrids provide fresh opportunities for designs of optoelectronic devices of extraordinary performance in addition to the benefits of low cost, large abundance, flexibility, and light weight. This review aims to highlight some of recent achievements in exploiting new optoelectronic nanohybrids and in understanding the underlying physics towards high-performance optoelectronic nanohybrids that are competitive in commercialization of various optoelectronic devices. Using nanohybrid photodetectors as an example, this review intends to reveal the importance in controlling the heterojunction interfaces and in multiscale controlling of optoelectronic process of light absorption, exciton dissociation, photocarrier transfer and transport from atomic to device scales and how this control impact the photodetector performance. The current status, remaining challenges and future perspectives in optoelectronic nanohybrids will also be discussed.