ZnOEP based phototransistor: signal amplification and light-controlled switch

摘要

A phototransistor with a field-effect transistor configuration was fabricated using a single zinc octaethylporphyrin (ZnOEP) nanorod; the device showed ability in signal amplification and reversible light-controlled switching. Owing to their abilities to convert light energy into electron motion and biocompatible properties, porphyrins and metal-loporphyrins are widely used in light-harvesting systems, biocompatible applications and electronics. For instance, bacteriochlorophyll is a crucial and essential biosystem, in which a magnesium-porphyrin composite acts as a light-harvesting center to convert light energy toward the production of oxygen and ATP. Porphyrins can also be attached to semiconductor materials such as TiO_2 to increase the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells. Various porphyrin-based nano-materials have been prepared in recent years. For example, Shelnutt et al. have fabricated porphyrin composite nanotubes by electrostatic force between two oppositely charged porphyrins.