Performance enhancement of MgZnO-based visible-blind photodetectors by Pt nanoparticles

• Single-phase wurtzite Mg0.18Zn0.82O film was grown by RF magnetron sputtering.
• Pt nanoparticles were used to improve the photo response performance.
• The peak responsivity of the device was enhanced from 0.134 to 0.349 A/W at 30 V.

A series of ultraviolet photodetectors have been fabricated on MgZnO films, the molar ratio of Mg/Zn is about 18%, which grown by a radio frequency magnetron sputtering technique. Metal (Pt) nanoparticles are sputtered on the surface of the MgZnO film, embedded into the film and deposited on the substrate to improve the performances of the photodetectors, respectively. I–V characteristics under dark are improved by sputtering Pt nanoparticles on the surface of MgZnO film. Meanwhile, the photoresponse of the photodetectors with Pt nanoparticles are enhanced, especially when nanoparticles embedded into the MgZnO film, the peak responsivity is enhanced from 0.134 to 0.349 A/W at 30 V bias. It is demonstrated that the key role of Pt nanoparticles in the performance enhancement of MgZnO-based photodetectors, revealing the applicability of metal nanoparticles in ultraviolet photodetectors.

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