Shortwave infrared (SWIR) sensors have attracted interest due to their usefulness in applications like military and medical equipment. SWIR sensors based on various materials are currently being studied. However, most SWIR detectors need additional optical filters and cooling systems to detect specific wavelengths. In order to overcome these limitations, we proposed a solution processed SWIR sensor that can operate at room temperature using lead chloride (PbS) QDs as a photoactive layer. Additionally, we adapted zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) as an electron transport layer (ETL) to improve the sensitivity of a PbS SWIR sensor. In this study, PbS SWIR sensors with and without a ZnO NPs layer were fabricated and their current–voltage (I–V) characteristics were measured. The on/off ratio of the PbS SWIR sensor with ZnO NPs was 2.87 times higher than that of the PbS SWIR sensor without ZnO NPs at the maximum current difference. The PbS SWIR sensor with ZnO NPs showed more stable current characteristics than that without ZnO NPs because of the ZnO NPs’ high electron mobility and proper lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) level.
We propose an optical gas sensor using anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) and a graphene oxide (GO) layer to detect hydrophilic gas. In the proposed sensor, GO reacts with the induced gas to cause a change in the refractive index of the AAO surface, which can be optically detected by measuring the reflected wave on the surface of the device. By using the high reactivity of GO to hydrophilic gases owing to reactors such as hydroxyl and carboxyl groups, the GO-coated AAO-based sensor showed high sensitivity of 15 a.u./ppm for the hydrophilic gas, dimethylamine gas, and low sensitivity for the hydrophobic, toluene. The AAO was fabricated by second anodization, a hard anodization, and the GO layer was easily fabricated by using the spin-coating method. Through analysis of scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy images and energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis, the GO thin film formed on the AAO was confirmed, demonstrating that a sensor with high selectivity for hydrophilic gas was fabricated.