Self-powered ultraviolet photodetector based on ZnO nanorod arrays decorated with sea anemone-like CuO nanostructures

ZnO nanorod arrays decorated with sea anemone-like CuO nanostructures were synthesized by hydrothermal method. A ultraviolet photodetector was fabricated based on the CuO/ZnO hierarchical nanostructures and exhibited good stability and reproducibility of self-powered photoresponse properties. The sensitivity and responsivity of the fabricated device were 120 and 0.272 mAW−1, respectively. The photoresponse mechanism at zero bias was discussed through the energy band theory.