High performance few-layer GaS photodetector and its unique photo-response in different gas environments

Abstract

Layered GaS nanosheets have been attracting increasing research interests due to their highly anisotropic structural, electrical, optical, and mechanical properties, which are useful for many applications. However, single-layer or few-layer GaS-based photodetectors have been rarely reported. Here a few-layer GaS two-terminal photodetector with a fast and stable response has been fabricated. It shows different photo-responses in various gas environments. A higher photo-response (64.43 A W⁻¹) and external quantum efficiency (EQE) (12 621%) is obtained in ammonia (NH₃) than in air or oxygen (O₂). A theoretical investigation shows that the charge transfer between the adsorbed gas molecules and the photodetector leads to the different photo-responses.