High Responsivity and External Quantum Efficiency Photodetectors Based on Solution-Processed Ni-Doped CuO Films

Photodetectors based on p-type metal oxides are still a challenge for optoelectronic device applications. Many effects have been paid to improve their performance and expand their detection range. Here, high-quality Cu1–xNixO (x = 0, 0.2, and 0.4) film photodetectors were prepared by a solution process. The crystal quality, morphology, and grain size of Cu1–xNixO films can be modulated by Ni doping. Among the photodetectors, the Cu0.8Ni0.2O photodetector shows the maximum photocurrent value (6 × 10–7 A) under a 635 nm laser illumination. High responsivity (26.46 A/W) and external quantum efficiency (5176%) are also achieved for the Cu0.8Ni0.2O photodetector. This is because the Cu0.8Ni0.2O photosensitive layer exhibits high photoconductivity, low surface states, and high crystallization after 20% Ni doping. Compared to the other photodetectors, the Cu0.8Ni0.2O photodetector exhibits the optimal response in the near-infrared region, owing to the high absorption coefficient. These findings provide a route to fabricate high-performance and wide-detection range p-type metal oxide photodetectors.