2D SiP2/h-BN for a Gate-Controlled Phototransistor with Ultrahigh Sensitivity

Two-dimensional (2D) materials are extremely attractive for the construction of highly sensitive photodetectors due to their unique electronic and optical properties. However, developing 2D photodetectors with ultrahigh sensitivity for extremely low-light-level detection is still a challenge owing to the limitation of high dark current and low detectivity. Herein, a gate-controlled phototransistor based on 2D SiP2/hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) was rationally designed and demonstrated ultrahigh sensitivity for the first time. With a back-gate device geometry, the SiP2/h-BN phototransistor exhibits an ultrahigh detectivity of 3.4 x 1013 Jones, which is one of the highest values among 2D material-based photodetectors. In addition, the phototransistor also shows a gate tunable responsivity of <= 43.5 A/W at a gate voltage of 30 V due to the photogating effect. The ultrahigh sensitivity of the SiP2-based phototransistor is attributed to the extremely low dark current suppressed by the phototransistor configuration and the improved photocurrent by using h-BN as a substrate to reduce charge scattering. This work provides a facile strategy for improving the detectivity of photodetectors and validates the great potential of 2D SiP2 phototransistors for ultrasensitive optoelectronic applications.