Intrinsically anisotropic 1D NbTe4 for self-powered polarization-sensitive photodetection

• Published in: NPG Asia materials 2024-11, Vol.16 (1), p.61-10
• Main Authors: Luo, Huahu, Wu, Fafa, He, Chaowei, Shen, Wanfu, Hu, Chunguang, Zhao, Weina, Yu, Peng, Yang, Guowei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 140/133; 639/301/1005/1007; 639/301/357/995; Anisotropy; Biomaterials; Chalcogenides; Chemistry and Materials Science; Dichroism; Energy Systems; Infrared spectra; Materials Science; Near infrared radiation; Optical and Electronic Materials; Optical properties; Optoelectronic devices; Photometers; Polarization; Polarized light; Raman spectroscopy; Spectral sensitivity; Structural Materials; Surface and Interface Science; Thin Films; Transition metals
• ISSN: 1884-4049; 1884-4057
• DOI: 10.1038/s41427-024-00580-6

Polarization-sensitive photodetection enhances scene information capture, crucial for modern optoelectronic devices. One-dimensional (1D) materials with intrinsic anisotropy, capable of directly sensing polarized light, are promising for such photodetectors. NbTe 4 , a quasi-1D transition metal tetra-chalcogenide, offers significant benefits for polarization-sensitive photodetection due to its structural anisotropy. Nonetheless, to date, the anisotropic properties of 1D NbTe 4 have not been reported. Herein, NbTe 4 nanobelts were synthesized via mechanical exfoliation from needle-like bulk crystals, and their anisotropic and optoelectronic properties were comprehensively studied. Angle-resolved polarized Raman spectroscopy, in conjunction with azimuth-dependent reflectance difference microscopy, confirmed that 1D NbTe₄ exhibits intrinsic structural and in-plane optical anisotropy. The 1D NbTe 4 device demonstrated characteristic anisotropic photodetection behavior, achieving dichroic ratios of 1.16 at 671 nm and 1.25 at 1064 nm. Meanwhile, the device exhibits a pronounced photothermoelectric effect, conferring a broad spectral photoresponse ranging from visible to near-infrared wavelengths (532-1064 nm), with a rapid response time of 158 ms. This study demonstrates that NbTe 4 inherently possesses in-plane anisotropy, making it a promising candidate for polarization-sensitive photodetection applications. The 1D transition metal tetra-chalcogenides, NbTe 4 , with inherent structural and optical anisotropy, has been used to develop a polarization-sensitive photodetector. The NbTe 4 flakes-based device displays pronounced anisotropic photodetection properties with a dichroic ratio of 1.16 at 671 nm and 1.25 at 1064 nm. It also demonstrates a significant photothermoelectric effect, enabling a broad spectral response from the visible to near-infrared spectrum (532-1064 nm).