PPV derivative/ZnO nanorods heterojunction: Fabrication, Characterization and Near-UV light sensor development

Poly(1,4-phenylenevinylene) derivative (PPV-C-6) based solution was spin-coated onto hydrothermally grown and vertically aligned ZnO nanorods (ZnO NRs).The morphological and the optical properties of the PPV-C-6/ZnO NRs hybrid heterojunction have been studied and shown a penetration of PPV-C(6)into the interspaces between the ZnO NRs with enhanced excitonic dissociation. The current-voltage characteristics in dark and under 395 nm LED illumination have been analyzed. A short-circuit current J(sc) of 4691.42 mu A/cm(2), an open-circuit voltage V-oc of 0.46 V giving rise to a responsivity of about 29.32 mA/W have been obtained for the illuminated graphite/PPV-C6/ZnO NRs/Si/EGa-In structure based near UV light sensor showing an enhanced responsivity by a factor of about 200 compared with bare ZnO NRs based one. We have succeeded in the development of low cost near-UV light sensors by simple low temperature hydrothermal method using eco-friendly, low cost and easily fabricated electrodes.