Nanoparticle

Photodetector

Materials science

Graphene

Planar

Embedded system

Computer graphics (images)

Photodetection

Broadband

Computer science

Photon upconversion

Physics

Nanotechnology

Optics

Doping

Charge carrier

Wearable computer

Optoelectronics

ACS Photonics

Numerous investigations of photon upconversion in lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) have led to its application in the fields of bioimaging, biodetection, cancer therapy, displays, and energy conversion. Herein, we demonstrate a new approach toward lanthanide-doped UCNPs and a graphene hybrid planar and rippled structure photodetector. The multi-energy sublevels from the 4fn electronic configuration of lanthanides results in longer excited state lifetime for photogenerated charge carriers. This opens up a new regime for ultra-high-sensitivity and broadband photodetection. Under 808 nm infrared light illumination, the planar hybrid photodetector shows a photoresponsivity of 190 AW–1, which is higher than the currently reported responsivities of the same class of devices. Also, the rippled graphene and UCNPs hybrid photodetector on a poly(dimethylsiloxane) substrate exhibits an excellent stretchability, wearability, and durability with high photoresponsivity. This design makes a significant contribution to the ongoing research in the field of wearable and stretchable optoelectronic devices.

Transparent, Wearable, Broadband, and Highly Sensitive Upconversion Nanoparticles and Graphene-Based Hybrid Photodetectors