Self-Powered X-Ray Photodetector Based on Ultrathin PbI₂Single Crystal

Abstract

Lead iodide (PbI <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> ) single crystals have been extensively investigated due to their potential applications in nuclear radiation detectors at room temperature. In this letter, the properties of ultrathin PbI <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> single crystals were obtained and investigated by X-ray diffraction, ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflection spectroscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The X-ray photodetector based on ultrathin PbI <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> single crystal with a Schottky configuration of Au/PbI <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> /Mo was also fabricated through a facile method. Especially, the X-ray photodetector exhibits good stability and reproducibility. A large sensitivity of 0.12 × 10 <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">4</sup> μC/Gy <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">air</sub> /cm <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sup> was obtained for X-ray photodetector based on PbI <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> single crystal at zero bias under a low radiation dose rate (0.19 mGy/h), which is sixty times higher than that of currently α-Se X-ray detectors at high bias. Moreover, we have further illustrated the working principles of the photodetector at zero, positive and negative bias with and without X-ray illumination. Our investigation substantiates the potential of the self-powered X-ray photodetector based on ultrathin PbI <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> single crystal as a candidate device in optoelectronic applications.