J. Mater. Sci. Technol. ›› 2025, Vol. 219: 205-212.DOI: 10.1016/j.jmst.2024.08.055

• Research article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

All-2D asymmetric self-powered photodetectors with ultra-fast photoresponse based on Gr/WSe2/NbSe2 van der Waals heterostructure

Sixian Hea, Chengdong Yina, Lingling Zhangb, Yafei Chenb,hui Pengb, Aidang Shana, Liancheng Zhaoa, Liming Gaoa,*   

  1. aState Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
    bKey Laboratory of Polar Materials and Devices (MOE), Department of Electronics, School of Physics and Electronic Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200240, China
  • Received:2024-06-24 Revised:2024-07-24 Accepted:2024-08-18 Published:2024-09-21 Online:2025-06-05
  • Contact: *E-mail address:liming.gao@sjtu.edu.cn (L. Gao)

Abstract: The rise of smart wearable devices has driven the demand for flexible, high-performance optoelectronic devices with low power and easy high-density integration. Emerging Two-dimensional (2D) materials offer promising solutions. However, the use of 3D metal in traditional 2D devices often leads to Fermi-level pinning, compromising device performance. 2D metallic materials, such as graphene and 2H-phase NbSe2, present a new avenue for addressing this issue and constructing high-performance, low-power photodetectors. In this work, we designed an all-2D asymmetric contacts photodetector using Gr and NbSe2 as electrodes for the 2D semiconductor WSe2. The asymmetric Schottky barriers and built-in electric fields facilitated by this architecture resulted in outstanding photovoltaic characteristics and self-powered photodetection. Under zero bias, the device exhibited a responsivity of 287 mA/W, a specific detectivity of 5.3 × 1011 Jones, and an external quantum efficiency of 88 %. It also demonstrated an ultra-high light on/off ratio (1.8 × 105), ultra-fast photoresponse speeds (80/72 μs), broad-spectrum responsiveness (405–980 nm), and exceptional cycling stability. The applications of the Gr/WSe2/NbSe2 heterojunction in imaging and infrared optical communication have been explored, underscoring its significant potential. This work offers an idea to construct all-2D ultrathin optoelectronic devices.

Key words: Photodetectors, Self-powered, Broadband, 2D materials, van der Waals heterostructures