Spatially Bandgap-Graded MoS2(1−x)Se2x Homojunctions for Self-Powered Visible–Near-Infrared Phototransistors

Ternary transition metal dichalcogenide alloys with spatially graded bandgaps are an emerging class of two-dimensional materials with unique features, which opens up new potential for device applications. Here, visible–near-infrared and self-powered phototransistors based on spatially bandgap-graded MoS 2(1− x ) Se 2 x alloys, synthesized by a simple and controllable chemical solution deposition method, are reported. The graded bandgaps, arising from the spatial grading of Se composition and thickness within a single domain, are tuned from 1.83 to 1.73 eV, leading to the formation of a homojunction with a built-in electric field. Consequently, a strong and sensitive gate-modulated photovoltaic effect is demonstrated, enabling the homojunction phototransistors at zero bias to deliver a photoresponsivity of 311 mA W −1 , a specific detectivity up to ~ 10 11 Jones, and an on/off ratio up to ~ 10 4 . Remarkably, when illuminated by the lights ranging from 405 to 808 nm, the biased devices yield a champion photoresponsivity of 191.5 A W −1 , a specific detectivity up to ~ 10 12 Jones, a photoconductive gain of 10 6 –10 7 , and a photoresponsive time in the order of ~ 50 ms. These results provide a simple and competitive solution to the bandgap engineering of two-dimensional materials for device applications without the need for p–n junctions.