A novel self-powered photodiode based on solution-processed organic TPD:Alq3 active layer

Abstract Herein, we report a novel self-powered photodiode, which is based on all solution-processed active layer made of bulk heterojunction of TPD:Alq3. The photodiodes can be utilized for the detection of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in a self-powered mode without the need for an external power supply. The optimized photodiode with TPD:Alq3 (1:2) active layer presented a sensitivity, responsivity and detectivity of 1.76 × 103, 5.22 × 10−4 A/W and 3.11 × 1010 Jones, respectively at zero biased mode under 365 nm UV light. We proposed a new approach of utilizing impedance matching to deliver the maximum power of photodiodes to the external load. Nevertheless, with a tool of minimized impedance, one can nearly get the full functionality of the photodiode at zero biased volt, but with zero power delivery to the tool. The performance of TPD:Alq3 based photodiodes outperformed that of photodiodes reported in literature.