Performance improvement of UV photodetectors using Cd-doped ZnO nanostructures

The present research performed thermal decomposition to synthesize pure zinc oxide (ZnO) and cadmium-doped ZnO (ZnO:Cd) nanorods with ZnO-to-Cd weight ratios of 93:7, 95:5, 97:3. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy were performed, current/voltage current/time measured determine the optical, structural, morphological characteristics ZnO:Cd. XRD results suggested hexagonal wurtzite structure all samples successful incorporation Cd into structures. This caused a spherical rod-like change in shape nanostructures. An intense sharp peak was observed at 380 nm (3.26 eV) UV region PL spectra samples. A photodetector fabricated on basis ZnO:Cd metal–semiconductor–metal configuration showed significant photocurrent photosensitivity photodetection application. sensitivity photodetectors percentages 0, 3, 5, 7% was, respectively, obtained as 110.62, 463.28, 762.40, 920.30. fastest photoresponse, rise decay times 2.5 4 s, associated sample doped 5% Cd.