Recent Strategies for Development of ZnO-Based Efficient UV-Photodetectors

Owing to the quest for achieving efficient and user-friendly electronic components, the scientific community has forwarded tremendous interest in exploring new material systems. In the last few decades, zinc oxide (ZnO) has been investigated comprehensively to achieve futuristic for optoelectronic and sensing gadgets. Among different types of sensors (like gas/humidity/ethanol sensors), this material has demonstrated promising aspects for sensing ultraviolet (UV) light. Since UV detection is an indispensable part in various aspects ranging from health care to defense systems, ZnO has gained immense attention for achieving prototype UV-photodetectors. Beyond the conventional thin films, the nanostructured systems of ZnO open further scope in this direction. The higher surface-to-volume ratio of the ZnO nanostructures not only increases the UV absorption capability but also offers the flexibility for utilization in miniaturized sensors. Consequently, researchers have attempted to modify the material system by altering microstructural/characteristics or by forming heterojunction with other suitable materials to enhance the UV detection features. The present chapter highlights such adopted strategies for improving UV detection characteristics of ZnO nanostructures and emphasizes the outcome achieved through these approaches. The recent pathbreaking results and the future scope of ZnO-based UV detectors have been reviewed extensively on this occasion.