High sensitive UV photodetector based on ZnS/PS thin film prepared via spray pyrolysis method

ABSTRACT

Electrochemical etching (ECE) served to fabricate porous silicon (PS), and the impact of different volume ratios of HF:ethanol on the morphological properties of PS has been examined. ZnS/PS composites were obtained by depositing ZnS film on PS substrate with the adoption of the spray method at a substrate temperature of 300°C and a spray rate of 3 ml/min. The thin film was characterized systematically by using several characterization techniques such as field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and UV–Vis–NIR spectrometry. The deposited film highlights a cubic structure with energy band gap of 3.66 eV. UV photodetectors (PDs) based on ZnS have been fabricated on PS substrates, and the PDs had shown a high photosensitivity (14 × 10³) for 400 nm UV light with the current decay and rise times of 0.6 and 0.9 s, respectively, and bias voltage of 2 V.

KEYWORDS:

• Spray pyrolysis
• zinc sulfide
• photodetector
• porous silicon (PS)
• defects
• ZnS/PS

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan and Isra University, Amman, Jordan, for the help and support in achieving this research project.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Data availability statement

All data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Natheer A. Algadri

Dr. Natheer Algadri received the B.Sc. in physics from Kofa University, Iraq, in 2002, MSc in physics from Jordan University of Science and Technology in 2008 and the Ph.D. in Condensed Matter Physics and X-ray Crystallography from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in 2018. He joined Jerash University and Umm Al-Qura University after his MSc as a lecturer for 6 years, and currently, he became an Assistant Professor at Isra University, Jordan. His current research interest focuses on nanomaterials fabrication and characterization for gas sensor and optoelectronic devices applications.

Ahmad M. Al-Diabat

Dr. Ahmad AL-Diabat received the B.Sc. in physics from Jordan University of Science and Technology in 2007, MSc in physics from Al al-bayt University in 2013 and the Ph.D. in Applied and Engineering Physics from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in 2018. He was a research associate at USM from 2016 to 2018, and currently, he became an Assistant Professor at Al-Zaytoonah University, Jordan. His current research interest focuses on nanomaterials fabrication and characterization for gas sensor and optoelectronic devices applications.

Naser M. Ahmed

Dr. Naser Mahmoud received the B.Sc. degree in physics from Al-Mustanseriah University Iraq in 1984, Master’s Degree in Laser Technology from University of technology, Iraq in 1988, and Ph.D. degree in solid State Physics and nanotechnology from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in 2006. He was a Research Associate at USM from 2003 to 2006. At present, he is an assistant Professor of School of physics USM. His work on Laser and optoelectronic materials and devices has led to 136 published papers and six books in laser and nanotechnology.