Size-tunable bismuth quantum dots for self-powered photodetectors under ambient conditions

Abstract Although black phosphorus analogue, bismuthene, has been extensively investigated in recent years, yet the investigation into the photoelectronic devices is still in its infancy. In this contribution, uniform zero-dimensional (0D) bismuth (Bi) quantum dots (QDs) with different sizes were successfully synthesized by a simple solvothermal method. The as-synthesized 0D Bi QDs serve as working electrode materials by a direct deposition for photoelectrochemical (PEC)-type photodetection. The PEC results demonstrate that the as-fabricated 0D Bi QD-based electrode not only possess suitable self-powered broadband photoresponse, but also displays excellent photodetection performance. Under simulated light, the photocurrent density and photoresponsivity of the as-fabricated 0D Bi QD-based electrode can reach 2690 nA cm −2 , and 22.0 μ A W −1 , respectively. In addition, the as-prepared Bi QDs with the average diameter of 17 nm exhibit the best PEC photoresponse behavior in the studied size range of Bi QDs, mainly ascribed to the synergistic effect of suitable band gap and accessible active sites. It is anticipated that the uniform Bi QDs can be served as building blocks for a variety of photoelectronic devices, further expanding the application prospects of bismuthene, and can provide in-depth acknowledge on the performance optimization of monoelement Bi-based optical devices.