Analysis of optoelectronic properties of TiO2 nanowiers/Si heterojunction arrays

The optoelectronic properties of n-TiO2NW/p-Si heterojunction fabricated by depositing TiO2 nanowires on a p-Si substrate are studied. Under excitation at a wavelength of 370 nm, the TiO2 nanowires produce a light emission at 435 nm due to the emission of free excitons. The I-V characteristics are measured to investigate the heterojunction effects under the dark environment and ultraviolet (UV) illumination. n-TiO2NW/p-Si has a p-n junction formed in the n-TiO2/p-Si heterojunction. TiO2NW/Si photodiode produces a photocurrent larger than dark current under UV illumination. It is observed that UV photons are absorbed in TiO2 and the heterojunction shows a 0.034-A/W responsivity at 4-V reverse bias.