Solution-processed multidimensional ZnO/CuO heterojunction as ultraviolet sensing

Abstract

We report on a solution-based method to fabricate a multidimensional heterojunction composed of one-dimensional zinc oxide nanorods (ZnO NRs) decorated with zero-dimensional cupric oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs). The ZnO NRs were vertically grown on a reduced graphene oxide (rGO) thin film, and the sensing properties of the synthesized heterojunction were investigated under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation at room temperature to assess their practical application. The CuO NPs decorated on the ZnO NRs play an essential role in creating numerous p-n heterojunctions at the interface and remediating oxygen-related defects in the ZnO NRs. Relative to the ZnO NR structures without CuO NPs, the CuO/ZnO multidimensional heterostructures show higher sensitivity and faster response, demonstrating their potential use as UV sensors.