Erbium Oxide Nanoparticles As Interfacial Layer For Self-Driven Uv-Vis Sensitive Silicon Photodetectors
Abstract
This study investigates hydrothermally synthesized erbium oxide (Er2O3) nanoparticles (NPs) as an interfacial layer in an Au/Er2O3/n-Si/Al heterostructure and evaluates their influence on the electrical and photoelectrical properties of silicon photodetectors. The structural, optical, and chemical properties of the synthesized Er2O3 NPs were characterized using SEM, UV–Vis spectroscopy, XRD, and XPS techniques. UV–Vis analysis revealed an optical bandgap of 3.427 eV, indicating strong suitability for UV-related optoelectronic applications. Electrical characteristics were analyzed using I–V measurements under dark and illuminated conditions. Under dark conditions, the device with the Er2O3 interlayer exhibited improved junction characteristics with an ideality factor (n) of 1.79, a barrier height (Φb) of 0.78 eV, and a series resistance (Rs) of 150 kΩ, determined using thermionic emission (TE) and Norde methods. Under illumination, the Er2O3/n-Si photodetector showed strong photoresponse and clear self-powered operation with measurable photocurrent at 0V due to the built-in electric field at the heterojunction. The responsivity (R) and detectivity (D*) reached 0.033 A/W and 2.32×1010 Jones under 1 sun illumination at −0.5 V, and 0.064 A/W and 4.52×1010 Jones under UV (395 nm) illumination, respectively. Furthermore, the device achieved an external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 21.75%, a noise equivalent power (NEP) of 2.44×10-12 W Hz-0.5, and a normalized photo-to-dark current ratio (NPDR) of 7.79×105 W-1 under UV illumination at −2 V. These results demonstrate that hydrothermally synthesized Er2O3 NPs are an effective interfacial material and show strong potential for high-performance, low-power, and UV-sensitive silicon-based optoelectronic devices.
Keywords
Ethical Statement
The study is complied with research and publication ethics.
References
- Y. Zhu, Z. Fang, and Y. Liu, “Structural and optical properties of Er2O3 films,” Journal of Rare Earths, vol. 28, no. 5, pp. 752–755, 2010.
- Y. Y. Zhu et al., “Epitaxial growth of Er2O3 films on oxidized Si(111) and Si(001) substrates,” Thin Solid Films, vol. 508, no. 1–2, pp. 86–89, 2006.
- A. S. Kuznetsov, S. Sadofev, P. Schäfer, S. Kalusniak, and F. Henneberger, “Single crystalline Er2O3: sapphire films as potentially high-gain amplifiers at telecommunication wavelength,” Applied Physics Letters, vol. 105, no. 19, pp. 1–5, 2014.
- F. Hanife and Y. Badali, “Optical response of Au/n-Si schottky photodiode with an interface of graphite-Er2O3-doped polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanocomposite,” Photonics Nanostruct, vol. 66, pp. 1–8, 2025.
- D. V. A. Rozhkov and M. A. Rodionov, “Antireflection Properties of Erbium Oxide Films,” Samara State University, vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 67–71, 2005.
- K. M. Hubbard and B. F. Espinoza, “Corrosion-resistant erbium oxide coatings by organometallic chemical vapor deposition,” Thin Solid Films, pp. 175–180, 2000.
- N. Rakov and G. S. Maciel, “Exploring the 4I13/2 → 4I15/2 radiative transition from Er3+ in Y2O3 for temperature sensing,” Journal of Luminescence, vol. 199, pp. 293–297, 2018.
- L. Spiridigliozzi, C. Ferone, R. Cioffi, M. Bortolotti, and G. Dell’Agli, “New insights in the hydrothermal synthesis of rare-earth carbonates,” Materials, vol. 12, no. 13, pp. 1–17, 2019.
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Condensed Matter Physics (Other)
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Publication Date
September 30, 2026
Submission Date
January 17, 2026
Acceptance Date
April 2, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 15 Number: 3
APA
Kasapoglu, A. E. (2026). Erbium Oxide Nanoparticles As Interfacial Layer For Self-Driven Uv-Vis Sensitive Silicon Photodetectors. Bitlis Eren Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi, 15(3), 1119-1137. https://doi.org/10.17798/bitlisfen.1865737
AMA
1.Kasapoglu AE. Erbium Oxide Nanoparticles As Interfacial Layer For Self-Driven Uv-Vis Sensitive Silicon Photodetectors. Bitlis Eren Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi. 2026;15(3):1119-1137. doi:10.17798/bitlisfen.1865737
Chicago
Kasapoglu, Ahmet Emre. 2026. “Erbium Oxide Nanoparticles As Interfacial Layer For Self-Driven Uv-Vis Sensitive Silicon Photodetectors”. Bitlis Eren Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi 15 (3): 1119-37. https://doi.org/10.17798/bitlisfen.1865737.
EndNote
Kasapoglu AE (September 1, 2026) Erbium Oxide Nanoparticles As Interfacial Layer For Self-Driven Uv-Vis Sensitive Silicon Photodetectors. Bitlis Eren Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi 15 3 1119–1137.
IEEE
[1]A. E. Kasapoglu, “Erbium Oxide Nanoparticles As Interfacial Layer For Self-Driven Uv-Vis Sensitive Silicon Photodetectors”, Bitlis Eren Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi, vol. 15, no. 3, pp. 1119–1137, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.17798/bitlisfen.1865737.
ISNAD
Kasapoglu, Ahmet Emre. “Erbium Oxide Nanoparticles As Interfacial Layer For Self-Driven Uv-Vis Sensitive Silicon Photodetectors”. Bitlis Eren Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi 15/3 (September 1, 2026): 1119-1137. https://doi.org/10.17798/bitlisfen.1865737.
JAMA
1.Kasapoglu AE. Erbium Oxide Nanoparticles As Interfacial Layer For Self-Driven Uv-Vis Sensitive Silicon Photodetectors. Bitlis Eren Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi. 2026;15:1119–1137.
MLA
Kasapoglu, Ahmet Emre. “Erbium Oxide Nanoparticles As Interfacial Layer For Self-Driven Uv-Vis Sensitive Silicon Photodetectors”. Bitlis Eren Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi, vol. 15, no. 3, Sept. 2026, pp. 1119-37, doi:10.17798/bitlisfen.1865737.
Vancouver
1.Ahmet Emre Kasapoglu. Erbium Oxide Nanoparticles As Interfacial Layer For Self-Driven Uv-Vis Sensitive Silicon Photodetectors. Bitlis Eren Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi. 2026 Sep. 1;15(3):1119-37. doi:10.17798/bitlisfen.1865737