Ultraviolet-light-induced photoresponse by nitrogen enriched nanoporous polytriazine

This work demonstrates the use of a simple organic polymeric framework material to fabricate prototype photodetector devices that measure UV intensity and the UV index with high precision and efficiency. Fast ultraviolet (UV, 390 nm) photodetection with rise/fall times of 11/9 µs, respectively, by organic photodetector (OPD) fabricated using nitrogen-enriched nanoporous polytriazine (NENP) is reported. Electronic and structural modulation by treating NENP at various pH has improved optoelectronic performance. NENP treated at pH 3 has shown the best performance with excellent responsivity and specific detectivity of 108.36 A W−1 and 1.3 × 1012 Jones, respectively at −10 V voltage bias with 1.9 µW mm−2 incident optical power density. This superior photo-response could be attributed to protonation-induced modifications in electronic structure of polymer, rendering exciton dissociation, higher carrier mobility, and reduced trapping density within nanoporous structure. High photostability of ~45 days of continuous UV exposure without any noticeable degradation of material or performance, highlights its potential as next-generation UV OPD. Based on this, a portable PD prototype has been fabricated, which further drives the technology towards industrial production of UV OPD. Ultraviolet photodetection is critical for monitoring UV radiation in environmental sensing, biomedical research, and space exploration. Here, the authors demonstrate rapid ultraviolet (390 nm) photodetection using an organic photodetector incorporating nitrogen-enriched nanoporous polytriazine.