Recent Advancements in Polymer-Based Photodetector: A Comprehensive Review

Polymer-based photodetectors (PPDs) have gained significant attention owing to their immense potential for use in various applications in the optoelectronic domain. PPDs are particularly appealing due to their ability to be tailored for specific spectrum responses, processing simplicity, and compatibility with flexible and stretchable devices, leading to a surge of research interest in this field. The scientific community has witnessed the rapid evolution of these emerging polymer-based composite materials and devices, where innovation meets versatility. This review provides an in-depth analysis of recent advancements in polymer-based PD, such as Polyaniline (PANI), Poly (3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT), Polypyrrole (Ppy), Polyvinylcarbazole (PVK), and Poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) based photodetectors. The article also talks about methods for depositing photoactive layers and the role of the photoactive layer on performance parameters such as responsivity (A/W), photocurrent (Iph), rise and fall time (t(r)/t(f)), external quantum efficiency (EQE), and detectivity (D*). The review also highlights the challenges facing development and application, offering insights into the problems that require further research and development.