Triboelectric-polarization-enhanced high sensitive ZnO UV sensor

Abstract Ultraviolet (UV) detection is of important significance in protecting environment, human health and related scenarios. Schottky barrier height (SBH) plays a key role in determining the performance of UV sensors. Herein, triboelectric voltage was proposed to lower the SBH of zinc oxide nano/micro wire and silver paste (ZnO//Ag) UV sensor. SBH was flexibly lowered by different times of triboelectric voltage treatment. Greatly improved UV response was achieved based on Schottky-to-Schottky contact after lowering its SBH, its photoresponse rates were enhanced by 645 % at raising edge from 6.77 s to 1.05 s, and 716 % at falling edge from 2.72 s to 0.38 s. The on/off ratio was greatly increased from 590 to 10400. Based on these results, the triboelectric technology may provide new views for tuning performance of Schottky-junction-based sensors. The developed tunable ZnO//Ag sensor combined with triboelectric voltage opens up possibility for future high sensitive UV sensing systems.