Low-dimensional supplies have attracted large curiosity previously many years, together with quantum dots (QDs), nanowires, nanoplatelets (NPLs), nanocrystals (NCs) and nanosheets (NSs) [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6]. Amongst them, robust quantum confinement endows the distinctive physicochemical properties of QDs, the place IV-VI semiconducting QDs are typical representatives. As revealed, the quantum confinement impact on carriers in IV-VI semiconductors is far stronger than that in most II-VI and III-V ones [7]. Not like the continual power spectrum in bulk semiconductors, the electron confinement in QDs ends in a discrete density of states giving the chance to properly engineer their subsequent optical properties. The IV-VI semiconducting QDs have subsequently been extensively utilized to determine varied optoelectronic gadgets, holding the potential to realize massive enhancements in determine of advantage [8].
Usually, the approaches for the synthesis of quantum dots might be divided into two principal teams: bottom-up and top-down approaches. Within the bottom-up approaches, the divergent phases of nucleation must be managed from the next development of the nascent particles in an answer containing molecular precursors. Not like the bottom-up method, bodily efforts, equivalent to using ultrasonic waves and mechanical erosion, have been utilized to bulk supplies in top-down processes to lower the dimension of the crystal. Though the management of the quantity of QDs poses an inevitable problem, the obtained merchandise are basically freed from contamination since there aren’t any extra precursors and stabilizers. For example, pristine black phosphorous [9] and PbO [10] QDs have been efficiently fabricated by the method of liquid-phase exfoliation (LPE), which have been utilized in varied fields equivalent to power conversion, organic remedy, and photodetection.
Photodetectors are extensively used gadgets to detect gentle with completely different energy densities and wavelengths. They will convert optical indicators to measurable electrical indicators by way of the photoelectric impact [11], [12], [13]. Lately, novel photoelectrochemical (PEC)-type photodetectors have been demonstrated and have so triggered an intensive consideration. The PEC-type photodetectors assembled with nanostructured semiconductors and spectral selectivity might be achieved via adjusting the optical properties of the energetic supplies, facilitating the detection for particular wavelengths. For example, narrow-band detections have been revealed primarily based on Nb2C MXene [14] and doped carbon quantum dots [15]. In contrast with the standard field-effect transistor primarily based photodetectors, PEC-type gadgets possess a number of inherent benefits equivalent to excessive responsivity, quick transient response, and being easy to manufacture [16]. Contemplating the fabricating price, manufacturing of PEC-type PDs helps to keep away from difficult epitaxial processes and costly single crystal substrates, holding the potential for scale-up fabrication of cheaper optoelectronic gadgets. Furthermore, an electrolyte is important for the PEC-type PDs and a solid-liquid heterojunction consequently varieties, which additionally services their potential purposes in lots of different fields, equivalent to self-powered underwater wi-fi sensing, flame detection, and safe space-to-space communication. Owing to the slim band hole and tunable optical absorption, lead monochalcogenides (PbX, X = O, S, Se, or Te) have been efficiently utilized in PEC-type photodetectors [10], [17], [18], [19]. For example, Xing et. al. proposed a self-driven photo-response conduct primarily based on 2D PbO NSs-based photodetectors [20]. As well as, the working mechanisms of PbSe NCs and PbS NPLs-based photodetectors have been revealed in our earlier works, the place the affect of bias potentials and electrolytes is illustrated based on the digital band buildings [18], [19]. Usually, the photo-response properties of PEC-type photodetectors might be enhanced by rising the electrolyte focus. Nonetheless, the electrochemical response grow to be a major problem for high-concentration electrolytes, which not solely impacts the detectivity but in addition reduces the long-term stability [10]. For example, Huang et al. reported that the photo-response of β-PbO QDs in 0.1 M KOH is poorer than that in a 0.01 M one, and a decrement of ∼50 % was noticed in the course of the long-term stability take a look at [10]. Subsequently, it’s needed to analyze the efficiency of PEC-type photodetectors in low-concentration electrolytes that may be helpful for his or her sensible software.
In contrast with the PbS and PbSe semiconductors, PbTe reveals higher service mobility and transport efficiency owing to the upper density of states [21]. As revealed, the a number of exciton era quantum yield is extra environment friendly in PbTe [22]. As well as, the band anisotropy in PbTe QDs is sort of pronounced for the excited states in comparison with these in PbS and, which might additional enhance the optoelectronics and result in potential use in digital gadgets. Herein, a facile method is demonstrated to manufacture PbTe QDs with uniform measurement distribution. As energetic supplies, the PbTe QDs are immediately utilized to determine the working electrode for PEC-type photodetectors. Their photo-response conduct is systematically investigated in numerous electrolytes with concentrations as little as 10−4 mol/L. We moreover research the affect of the photo-response by exterior situations equivalent to bias potential, gentle energy density and wavelength, and the position of focus and sort of electrolyte. Density purposeful idea (DFT) calculations are employed to comparatively elucidate the consequences between a high and low focus of hydroxyl teams on the digital band buildings of PbTe. The outcomes illustrate wonderful efficiency of the fabricated PbTe QD-based PEC-type photodetectors even for terribly low-concentration electrolytes that’s helpful for the additional improvement of IV-VI semiconductors in different novel optoelectronic gadgets.
