A resistive-type UV detector based on ZnO nanowalls decoated by Ag nanowires

Abstract A ZnO nanowalls/Ag nanowires composites UV photodetector has been successfully synthesized on the Ag interdigitated electrode by in-situ synthesis and spin-coating method. Bare Ag crystal nanowires were prepared by a polyol process at 180 °C. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results indicate that Ag nanowires were tightly anchored on the surface of ZnO nanowalls and that the distribution rate was 18.78%. The effects of spin-coating times and working temperature on the photoresponse were investigated. Sensors fabricated with ZnO nanowalls/Ag composites achieved a higher response (S = 285) and shorter response-recovery time (10s, 81s) at room temperature under UV illumination. In addition, the stability and mechanism of UV response were analyzed and indicated that ZnO naowalls/Ag composites is a very promising photo sensing material for UV detection.