Realization of a self-powered Cu2O ozone gas sensor through the lateral photovoltaic effect

Photovoltaic self-powered gas sensors are generally based on the device structure of a p-n photodiode, which requires two different electrodes on opposite sides of a heterojunction. However, the complicated structure is not compatible with planar circuit technology. A strategy of applying the lateral photovoltaic effect in detecting ozone (O-3) is proposed. By using asymmetric light illumination, self-powering operation is achieved without an external voltage. The recorded unbiased gas response is 88.6%, with a response/recovery time of 150/800 s after exposure to 5 ppm O-3 at room temperature. The Cu2O self-powered gas sensor has excellent selectivity to toxic gases, reliability under humidity and long-term stability to O-3. This study could provide new insights in the self-powered device domain.

Automated summary

This study presents a new self-powered gas sensor structure that utilizes the lateral photovoltaic effect for ozone detection. By using asymmetric light illumination, self-powering operation is achieved, allowing efficient gas sensing at room temperature.