Multiple exciton generation boosting over 100% quantum efficiency photoelectrochemical photodetection

Junjun Xue; Xu Wang; Guanyu Xu; Xinya Tao; Tongdao Pan; Zhouyu Chen; Qing Cai; Pengfei Shao; Guofeng Yang; Zengli Huang; Ting Zhi; Ke Wang; Bin Liu; Dunjun Chen; Rong Zhang; Jin Wang

doi:10.1038/s41467-025-60420-1

Nature Communications (Jun 2025)

Multiple exciton generation boosting over 100% quantum efficiency photoelectrochemical photodetection

Junjun Xue,
Xu Wang,
Guanyu Xu,
Xinya Tao,
Tongdao Pan,
Zhouyu Chen,
Qing Cai,
Pengfei Shao,
Guofeng Yang,
Zengli Huang,
Ting Zhi,
Ke Wang,
Bin Liu,
Dunjun Chen,
Rong Zhang,
Jin Wang

Affiliations

Junjun Xue: GaN-X Laboratory, College of Electronic and Optical Engineering & College of Flexible Electronics (Future Technology), Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications
Xu Wang: GaN-X Laboratory, College of Electronic and Optical Engineering & College of Flexible Electronics (Future Technology), Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications
Guanyu Xu: GaN-X Laboratory, College of Electronic and Optical Engineering & College of Flexible Electronics (Future Technology), Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications
Xinya Tao: GaN-X Laboratory, College of Electronic and Optical Engineering & College of Flexible Electronics (Future Technology), Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications
Tongdao Pan: GaN-X Laboratory, College of Electronic and Optical Engineering & College of Flexible Electronics (Future Technology), Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications
Zhouyu Chen: Portland Institute of NJUPT, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications
Qing Cai: Key Laboratory of Advanced Photonic and Electronic Materials, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University
Pengfei Shao: Key Laboratory of Advanced Photonic and Electronic Materials, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University
Guofeng Yang: School of Science, Jiangnan University
Zengli Huang: Suzhou Laboratory
Ting Zhi: GaN-X Laboratory, College of Electronic and Optical Engineering & College of Flexible Electronics (Future Technology), Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications
Ke Wang: Key Laboratory of Advanced Photonic and Electronic Materials, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University
Bin Liu: Key Laboratory of Advanced Photonic and Electronic Materials, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University
Dunjun Chen: Key Laboratory of Advanced Photonic and Electronic Materials, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University
Rong Zhang: Key Laboratory of Advanced Photonic and Electronic Materials, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University
Jin Wang: GaN-X Laboratory, College of Electronic and Optical Engineering & College of Flexible Electronics (Future Technology), Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-60420-1
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 16, no. 1
pp. 1 – 12

Abstract

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Abstract The self-powered photoelectrochemical components themselves featured advancements in operating independently without external supply. Ultimately, due to lack of assistance from the external bias, the photoelectrochemical response is commonly restricted by the deficient photo-quantum efficiency for the absence of carrier multiplication. This work demonstrates a self-powered photoelectrochemical photodetector based on CuOx/AlGaN nanowires with staggered band structure and enhanced built-in potential for efficient exciton extraction. The generated multiple excitons within reach-through CuOx layer could be speedily separated before Auger recombination. This yields a 131.5% external quantum efficiency and 270.6 mA W−1 responsivity at 255 nm. The work confirms the role of multiple exciton generation in photoelectrochemical systems, offering a solution on paving path of advance for self-powered optoelectronics and weak-light UV imaging applications.

Published in Nature Communications

ISSN: 2041-1723 (Online)
Publisher: Nature Portfolio
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Science
Website: https://www.nature.com/ncomms/

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