Photo-Driven Ion Transport for a Photodetector Based on an Asymmetric Carbon Nitride Nanotube Membrane.

Conventional photosensing devices work mainly by electron processing and transport, while visual systems in intelligence work by integrative ion/electron signals. To realize smarter photodetectors, some photoionic device or the combination of ionic and electronic devices are necessary. Now, an ion-transport-based self-powered photodetector is presented based on an asymmetric carbon nitride nanotube membrane, which can realize fast, selective, and stable light detection while being self-powered. Local charges are continuously generated at the irradiated side of the membrane, and none (fewer) at the non-irradiated side. The resulting surface charge gradient in carbon nitride nanotube will drive ion transport in the cavity, thus realizing the function of ionic photodetector. With advantages of low cost and easy fabrication process, the concept of ionic photodetectors based on carbon nitride anticipates wide applications for semiconductor biointerfaces.