Direction-dependent photo-voltage detection in multifunctional ZnO micro rod/PBTTT-C14 polymer sensor due to gold nanoparticles

TL;DR

This paper reports a multifunctional ZnO micro-rod/PBTTT-C14 sensor capable of detecting light direction through photo-voltage polarity flipping, leveraging gold nanoparticles' plasmonic effects for advanced artificial skin applications.

Contribution

It introduces a novel heterostructure sensor with gold nanoparticles that enables direction-dependent photo-voltage detection, enhancing multifunctional sensing capabilities.

Findings

The sensor exhibits polarity flipping based on light direction.

Gold nanoparticles induce surface plasmon resonance affecting the device.

The device combines piezoelectric and optical sensing for artificial skin.

Abstract

A sensor that can detect the direction of the incoming light plays a crucial role in further enhancing the versatility of the multifunction sensors for future applications, where the sensor can read multiple pieces of information, similar to the biological senses, like skin. A hybrid sensor based on an n-type ZnO micro-rod with p-type optically active organic polymer (PBTTT-C14) is developed for low-cost, large-area piezoelectric and optical sensing applications for future artificial electronic skin. The multi-functionality of the device is achieved due to the heterostructure configuration of vertically aligned piezoelectric ZnO micro rod arrays and PBTTT-C14 polymer between two gold electrodes. The deposition of the top gold electrode also led to the formation of two regions where it forms a continuous film and isolated gold particles (Au NPs). The isolated NPs, when activated, has shown surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and F\"orster resonance energy transfer (FRET), which generate a potential opposite to the normal working of the device, depending on the number of excited Au NPs by the incident light. The polarity flipping/opposite potential development can be attributed to the rise in electron density near the top Au contact due to the SPR and FRET mechanism of isolated Au NPs over the PBTTT-C14 which depends on the illumination direction. As a result, direction-dependent photo voltage polarity flipping was realized in the device. The device has produced piezoelectric and direction-dependent photovoltage flipping responses, leading the way for a multifunction sensor that can detect the direction of incident light and touch.