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Broadband self-powered photodetector enabled by a MOF/organic heterojunction architecture

Mingke Yu, Huiyan Zheng, Yutao Xiong, Hong Wang, Yanghui Liu and Gang Liu

+ Author Affiliations

 Corresponding author: Hong Wang, wanghong3@mail.sysu.edu.cn; Yanghui Liu, liuyanghui@mail.sysu.edu.cn; Gang Liu, liugang82@mail.sysu.edu.cn

DOI: 10.1088/1674-4926/25110031CSTR: 32376.14.1674-4926.25110031

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Abstract: Broadband, low-power, and solution-processable organic photodetectors are essential for next-generation optoelectronic sensing. Two-dimensional conductive metal-organic frameworks (2D cMOFs) based on zinc tetracarboxyphenyl porphyrin (Zn-TCPP) offer strong light absorption and efficient charge transport, yet their photoresponse remains confined to the UV−visible region. To address this limitation, this study develops a solution-compatible strategy for constructing a well-defined MOF/organic semiconductor type-II heterojunction by spin-coating a high-performance Y6 layer onto Zn-TCPP films. The resulting heterostructure provides complementary spectral absorption, promotes efficient exciton dissociation, and enables directional charge carrier transport, thereby achieving self-powered broadband photodetection spanning the ultraviolet to near-infrared (UV−NIR) range. The device demonstrates outstanding performance, including an ultra-low dark current (down to 3.40 × 10−13 A), high responsivity, and an ultrafast transient response with a rise time of 4.4 ms. This work establishes a generalizable approach for engineering high-efficiency MOF/organic semiconductor heterojunctions and offers a promising platform for low-cost, broadband, and self-powered photodetectors for biomedical and advanced sensing applications.

Key words: photodetectorsbroadbandmetal organic frameworkorganic semiconductorheterojunction



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[2]
Zhao Z J, Xu C Y, Niu L B, et al. Recent progress on broadband organic photodetectors and their applications. Laser Photonics Rev, 2020, 14(11): 2000262 doi: 10.1002/lpor.202000262
[3]
Singh S, Suthar R, Tomimatsu A, et al. Ultrafast highly sensitive self-powered MSIM photodetector based on organic semiconductor/dielectric interfaces for broadband visible to near-infrared communication. Adv Funct Mater, 2025, 35(27): 2425426 doi: 10.1002/adfm.202425426
[4]
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[5]
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[6]
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Wu G D, Huang J H, Zang Y, et al. Porous field-effect transistors based on a semiconductive metal–organic framework. J Am Chem Soc, 2017, 139(4): 1360 doi: 10.1021/jacs.6b08511
[8]
Lu C W, Choi J Y, Check B, et al. Thiatruxene-based conductive MOF: Harnessing sulfur chemistry for enhanced proton transport. J Am Chem Soc, 2024, 146(38): 26313 doi: 10.1021/jacs.4c08659
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[11]
Tian Y B, Vankova N, Weidler P, et al. Oriented growth of in-oxo chain based metal-porphyrin framework thin film for high-sensitive photodetector. Adv Sci, 2021, 8(14): 2100548
[12]
Liu Y X, Wei Y N, Liu M H, et al. Face-to-Face Growth of Wafer-Scale 2D Semiconducting MOF Films on Dielectric Substrates. Adv Mater, 2021, 33(13): 2007741
[13]
Xu X, Feng X B, Wang W, et al. Construction of II-type and Z-scheme binding structure in P-doped graphitic carbon nitride loaded with ZnO and ZnTCPP boosting photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. J Colloid Interface Sci, 2023, 651: 669 doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.08.033
[14]
Arora H, Dong R H, Venanzi T, et al. Demonstration of a Broadband Photodetector Based on a Two-Dimensional Metal–Organic Framework. Adv Mater, 2020, 32(9): 1907063 doi: 10.1002/adma.201907063
[15]
Dou J H, Arguilla M Q, Luo Y, et al. Atomically precise single-crystal structures of electrically conducting 2D metal–organic frameworks. Nat Mater, 2021, 20(2): 222 doi: 10.1038/s41563-020-00847-7
[16]
Huang P Y, Zhang Y Y, Tsai P C, et al. Interfacial engineering of quantum dots–metal–organic framework composite toward efficient charge transport for a short-wave infrared photodetector. Adv Opt Mater, 2024, 12(7): 2302062 doi: 10.1002/adom.202302062
[17]
Ge Y S, Lei D, Zhang C J, et al. Solution-processable van der Waals heterojunctions on silicon for self-powered photodetectors with high responsivity and detectivity. Adv Sci, 2025, 12(23): 2500027 doi: 10.1002/advs.202500027
[18]
Joshi M, Sridhar S R, Verma U K, et al. Enhancing performance of a photomultiplication-based broadband photodetector with porphyrin MOF-ZnO nanocomposite. Org Electron, 2025, 138: 107184 doi: 10.1016/j.orgel.2024.107184
[19]
Wang Y Y, Liu L, Shi Y X, et al. Fast and high-performance self-powered photodetector based on the ZnO/metal–organic framework heterojunction. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces, 2023, 15(14): 18236 doi: 10.1021/acsami.3c01740
[20]
Wang Y, Wu H, Zhu W G, et al. Cocrystal engineering: Toward solution-processed near-infrared 2D organic cocrystals for broadband photodetection. Angew Chem Int Ed, 2021, 60(12): 6344 doi: 10.1002/anie.202015326
[21]
Joshi M, Sridhar S, Sahu A K, et al. Two-dimensional zinc porphyrin metal–organic framework nanosheets for a self-powered organic photodetector. ACS Appl Nano Mater, 2023, 6(24): 22784 doi: 10.1021/acsanm.3c03983
[22]
Tokmoldin N, Deibel C, Neher D, et al. Contemporary impedance analyses of archetypical PM6: Y6 bulk-heterojunction blend. Adv Energy Mater, 2024, 14(27): 2401130 doi: 10.1002/aenm.202401130
[23]
Shoaee S, Luong H M, Song J G, et al. What we have learnt from PM6: Y6. Adv Mater, 2024, 36(20): 2302005 doi: 10.1002/adma.202302005
[24]
Yuan J, Zhang Y Q, Zhou L Y, et al. Single-junction organic solar cell with over 15% efficiency using fused-ring acceptor with electron-deficient core. Joule, 2019, 3(4): 1140 doi: 10.1016/j.joule.2019.01.004
[25]
Wang Q Y, Chen Q, Meng S X, et al. Side-chain engineering of non-fullerene acceptors with trialkylsilyloxy groups for enhanced photovoltaic performance. Chin J Chem, 2024, 42(18): 2153
[26]
Zheng H Y, Xiong Y T, Jiang Z D, et al. Metal–organic framework/organic semiconductor heterostructures for high-speed, low-noise photodetection. ACS Appl Electron Mater, 2025, 7(13): 6207 doi: 10.1021/acsaelm.5c01152
[27]
Sridhar S R, Joshi M, Sahu A K, et al. Enhancing photomultiplication in organic photodetectors with two-dimensional metal–organic framework nanosheets. ACS Appl Electron Mater, 2023, 5(12): 6757 doi: 10.1021/acsaelm.3c01237
[28]
Yu R N, Wu G Z, Tan Z A. Realization of high performance for PM6: Y6 based organic photovoltaic cells. J Energy Chem, 2021, 61: 29 doi: 10.1016/j.jechem.2021.01.027
[29]
Fan C L, Yang H, Zhang Q, et al. Synergistic effect of solvent and solid additives on morphology optimization for high-performance organic solar cells. Sci China Chem, 2021, 64(11): 2017 doi: 10.1007/s11426-021-1114-3
[30]
Tarikhum B H, Ali B, Almyahi F. Role of fullerene ICxA and non-fullerene Y6 in P3HT-based ternary organic photovoltaics. Solid State Commun, 2023, 372: 115319 doi: 10.1016/j.ssc.2023.115319
[31]
Xia Y X, Georgiadou D G. Multiple narrowband bidirectional self-powered organic photodetector with fast response. Laser Photonics Rev, 2025, 19(1): 2401032 doi: 10.1002/lpor.202401032
[32]
Azamat A K, Parkhomenko H P, Kiani M S, et al. Self-powered printed flexible bifacial perovskite photodetector. ACS Appl Opt Mater, 2024, 2(1): 149 doi: 10.1021/acsaom.3c00383
[33]
Xu Z Y, Liu Y D, Chandresh A, et al. Nanographene-based metal-organic framework thin films: Optimized packing and efficient electron-hole separation yielding efficient photodetector. Adv Funct Mater, 2024, 34(4): 2308847
[34]
Kang C X, Iqbal M A, Zhang S Y, et al. Cu3(HHTP)2 c-MOF/ZnO ultrafast ultraviolet photodetector for wearable optoelectronics. Chemistry A European J, 2022, 28(64): e202201705
Fig. 1.  (Color online) (a) Schematic illustration of the device architecture of the Zn-TCPP/Y6 heterojunction photodetector. (b) Energy band alignment of the device. (c) UV–Vis–NIR absorption spectra of Zn-TCPP, Y6, and their heterojunction.

Fig. 2.  (Color online) (a) FTIR spectra of Zn-TCPP, Y6, and their heterojunction. (b) Cross-sectional SEM image of the Zn-TCPP/Y6 heterostructure. Three-dimensional AFM surface morphology of the (c) Zn-TCPP film and (d) Zn-TCPP/Y6 heterojunction.

Fig. 3.  (Color online) Electrical characteristics of the Zn-TCPP/Y6 heterojunction photodetector: (a) IV curves measured under monochromatic illumination at different wavelengths with a fixed optical power of 7.31 μW, plotted on a logarithmic current scale. (b) Corresponding IV curves under the same conditions plotted on a linear current scale. (c) IV characteristics obtained under 410 nm illumination with varying optical powers. (d) Dependence of Voc and Isc on the incident optical power under 410 nm illumination.

Fig. 4.  (Color online) (a) It responses of the device under 410 nm illumination with varying optical powers. (b) It responses under monochromatic illumination at different wavelengths with a fixed optical power of 7.31 μW. (c) Rise and fall times extracted from a single switching cycle under 410 nm illumination. (d) Stability assessment of the device over 20 on-off switching cycles. All measurements were performed at 0 V bias.

Fig. 5.  (Color online) (a) Responsivity as a function of incident wavelength measured at a bias voltage of 0 V. (b) Noise power spectral density of the device under dark conditions at different applied bias voltages. (c) KPFM surface potential image of the Zn-TCPP film. (d) KPFM surface potential image of the Zn-TCPP/Y6 heterojunction.

Table 1.   Performance comparison of photodetectors based on different OSC

Device Abs. (nm) Idark (A) PDCR D*(Jones) Rise/fall time Ref
ZnTPP-C60 400−1000 / 102 9.94 × 1011 0.6 s/0.7 s [20]
PM6:Y12 325−930 6.5 × 10−12 / 4 × 1010 0.85 μs/1.1 μs [31]
MAPbI3 300−800 >1.3 × 10−9 >104 2 × 1011 3.67 s/41 ms [32]
Fe3(THT)2(NH4)3 400−1575 ~5 × 10−8 ~6 7 × 108 2.3 s/2.1 5 s [14]
Cu-HBC 365−640 1.1 × 10−10 4.2 × 103 / 20 ms/20 ms [33]
Cu3(HHTP)2/ZnO 350−750 / / 3.8 × 10−9 4.4 s/7 s [34]
P3HT:ZnTCPP:PC61BM 350−650 3.85 × 10−8 104 4.61 × 1012 186 ms/83.9ms [27]
Zn-TCPP/Y6 360−945 3.40 × 10−13 6.0 × 105 2.41 × 1012 4.4 ms/4.5 ms This work
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[1]
Li X, Liu K X, Wu D, et al. Van der Waals hybrid integration of 2D semimetals for broadband photodetection. Adv Mater, 2025, 37(48): 2415717 doi: 10.1002/adma.202415717
[2]
Zhao Z J, Xu C Y, Niu L B, et al. Recent progress on broadband organic photodetectors and their applications. Laser Photonics Rev, 2020, 14(11): 2000262 doi: 10.1002/lpor.202000262
[3]
Singh S, Suthar R, Tomimatsu A, et al. Ultrafast highly sensitive self-powered MSIM photodetector based on organic semiconductor/dielectric interfaces for broadband visible to near-infrared communication. Adv Funct Mater, 2025, 35(27): 2425426 doi: 10.1002/adfm.202425426
[4]
Wang Y C, Chiang C H, Chang C M, et al. Two-Dimensional Bis(dithiolene)iron(II) Self-Powered UV Photodetectors with Ultrahigh Air Stability. Adv Sci, 2021, 8(14): 2100564
[5]
Sun J, Gao S Y, Zhang C Y, et al. From rigid to flexible: Ce-BTC-MOF-enabled self-powered photodetectors with record-high responsivity and detectivity. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces, 2025, 17(39): 55143 doi: 10.1021/acsami.5c10446
[6]
Zhang J B, Tian Y B, Gu Z G, et al. Metal–organic framework-based photodetectors. Nano Micro Lett, 2024, 16(1): 253 doi: 10.1007/s40820-024-01465-7
[7]
Wu G D, Huang J H, Zang Y, et al. Porous field-effect transistors based on a semiconductive metal–organic framework. J Am Chem Soc, 2017, 139(4): 1360 doi: 10.1021/jacs.6b08511
[8]
Lu C W, Choi J Y, Check B, et al. Thiatruxene-based conductive MOF: Harnessing sulfur chemistry for enhanced proton transport. J Am Chem Soc, 2024, 146(38): 26313 doi: 10.1021/jacs.4c08659
[9]
Jyoti, Dutta T, Kumar P, et al. Recent advances in Metal-Organic Framework-Based fiber optic sensors and Photodetectors: Synthesis, Properties, and applications. Chem Eng J, 2025, 507: 160543 doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2025.160543
[10]
Li D J, Tian Y B, Lin Q, et al. Optimizing photodetectors in two-dimensional metal-metalloporphyrinic framework thin films. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces, 2022, 14(29): 33548 doi: 10.1021/acsami.2c07686
[11]
Tian Y B, Vankova N, Weidler P, et al. Oriented growth of in-oxo chain based metal-porphyrin framework thin film for high-sensitive photodetector. Adv Sci, 2021, 8(14): 2100548
[12]
Liu Y X, Wei Y N, Liu M H, et al. Face-to-Face Growth of Wafer-Scale 2D Semiconducting MOF Films on Dielectric Substrates. Adv Mater, 2021, 33(13): 2007741
[13]
Xu X, Feng X B, Wang W, et al. Construction of II-type and Z-scheme binding structure in P-doped graphitic carbon nitride loaded with ZnO and ZnTCPP boosting photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. J Colloid Interface Sci, 2023, 651: 669 doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.08.033
[14]
Arora H, Dong R H, Venanzi T, et al. Demonstration of a Broadband Photodetector Based on a Two-Dimensional Metal–Organic Framework. Adv Mater, 2020, 32(9): 1907063 doi: 10.1002/adma.201907063
[15]
Dou J H, Arguilla M Q, Luo Y, et al. Atomically precise single-crystal structures of electrically conducting 2D metal–organic frameworks. Nat Mater, 2021, 20(2): 222 doi: 10.1038/s41563-020-00847-7
[16]
Huang P Y, Zhang Y Y, Tsai P C, et al. Interfacial engineering of quantum dots–metal–organic framework composite toward efficient charge transport for a short-wave infrared photodetector. Adv Opt Mater, 2024, 12(7): 2302062 doi: 10.1002/adom.202302062
[17]
Ge Y S, Lei D, Zhang C J, et al. Solution-processable van der Waals heterojunctions on silicon for self-powered photodetectors with high responsivity and detectivity. Adv Sci, 2025, 12(23): 2500027 doi: 10.1002/advs.202500027
[18]
Joshi M, Sridhar S R, Verma U K, et al. Enhancing performance of a photomultiplication-based broadband photodetector with porphyrin MOF-ZnO nanocomposite. Org Electron, 2025, 138: 107184 doi: 10.1016/j.orgel.2024.107184
[19]
Wang Y Y, Liu L, Shi Y X, et al. Fast and high-performance self-powered photodetector based on the ZnO/metal–organic framework heterojunction. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces, 2023, 15(14): 18236 doi: 10.1021/acsami.3c01740
[20]
Wang Y, Wu H, Zhu W G, et al. Cocrystal engineering: Toward solution-processed near-infrared 2D organic cocrystals for broadband photodetection. Angew Chem Int Ed, 2021, 60(12): 6344 doi: 10.1002/anie.202015326
[21]
Joshi M, Sridhar S, Sahu A K, et al. Two-dimensional zinc porphyrin metal–organic framework nanosheets for a self-powered organic photodetector. ACS Appl Nano Mater, 2023, 6(24): 22784 doi: 10.1021/acsanm.3c03983
[22]
Tokmoldin N, Deibel C, Neher D, et al. Contemporary impedance analyses of archetypical PM6: Y6 bulk-heterojunction blend. Adv Energy Mater, 2024, 14(27): 2401130 doi: 10.1002/aenm.202401130
[23]
Shoaee S, Luong H M, Song J G, et al. What we have learnt from PM6: Y6. Adv Mater, 2024, 36(20): 2302005 doi: 10.1002/adma.202302005
[24]
Yuan J, Zhang Y Q, Zhou L Y, et al. Single-junction organic solar cell with over 15% efficiency using fused-ring acceptor with electron-deficient core. Joule, 2019, 3(4): 1140 doi: 10.1016/j.joule.2019.01.004
[25]
Wang Q Y, Chen Q, Meng S X, et al. Side-chain engineering of non-fullerene acceptors with trialkylsilyloxy groups for enhanced photovoltaic performance. Chin J Chem, 2024, 42(18): 2153
[26]
Zheng H Y, Xiong Y T, Jiang Z D, et al. Metal–organic framework/organic semiconductor heterostructures for high-speed, low-noise photodetection. ACS Appl Electron Mater, 2025, 7(13): 6207 doi: 10.1021/acsaelm.5c01152
[27]
Sridhar S R, Joshi M, Sahu A K, et al. Enhancing photomultiplication in organic photodetectors with two-dimensional metal–organic framework nanosheets. ACS Appl Electron Mater, 2023, 5(12): 6757 doi: 10.1021/acsaelm.3c01237
[28]
Yu R N, Wu G Z, Tan Z A. Realization of high performance for PM6: Y6 based organic photovoltaic cells. J Energy Chem, 2021, 61: 29 doi: 10.1016/j.jechem.2021.01.027
[29]
Fan C L, Yang H, Zhang Q, et al. Synergistic effect of solvent and solid additives on morphology optimization for high-performance organic solar cells. Sci China Chem, 2021, 64(11): 2017 doi: 10.1007/s11426-021-1114-3
[30]
Tarikhum B H, Ali B, Almyahi F. Role of fullerene ICxA and non-fullerene Y6 in P3HT-based ternary organic photovoltaics. Solid State Commun, 2023, 372: 115319 doi: 10.1016/j.ssc.2023.115319
[31]
Xia Y X, Georgiadou D G. Multiple narrowband bidirectional self-powered organic photodetector with fast response. Laser Photonics Rev, 2025, 19(1): 2401032 doi: 10.1002/lpor.202401032
[32]
Azamat A K, Parkhomenko H P, Kiani M S, et al. Self-powered printed flexible bifacial perovskite photodetector. ACS Appl Opt Mater, 2024, 2(1): 149 doi: 10.1021/acsaom.3c00383
[33]
Xu Z Y, Liu Y D, Chandresh A, et al. Nanographene-based metal-organic framework thin films: Optimized packing and efficient electron-hole separation yielding efficient photodetector. Adv Funct Mater, 2024, 34(4): 2308847
[34]
Kang C X, Iqbal M A, Zhang S Y, et al. Cu3(HHTP)2 c-MOF/ZnO ultrafast ultraviolet photodetector for wearable optoelectronics. Chemistry A European J, 2022, 28(64): e202201705

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    Received: 30 November 2025 Revised: 24 December 2025 Online: Accepted Manuscript: 13 January 2026

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      Mingke Yu, Huiyan Zheng, Yutao Xiong, Hong Wang, Yanghui Liu, Gang Liu. Broadband self-powered photodetector enabled by a MOF/organic heterojunction architecture[J]. Journal of Semiconductors, 2026, In Press. doi: 10.1088/1674-4926/25110031 ****M K Yu, H Y Zheng, Y T Xiong, H Wang, Y H Liu, and G Liu, Broadband self-powered photodetector enabled by a MOF/organic heterojunction architecture[J]. J. Semicond., 2026, accepted doi: 10.1088/1674-4926/25110031
      Citation:
      Mingke Yu, Huiyan Zheng, Yutao Xiong, Hong Wang, Yanghui Liu, Gang Liu. Broadband self-powered photodetector enabled by a MOF/organic heterojunction architecture[J]. Journal of Semiconductors, 2026, In Press. doi: 10.1088/1674-4926/25110031 ****
      M K Yu, H Y Zheng, Y T Xiong, H Wang, Y H Liu, and G Liu, Broadband self-powered photodetector enabled by a MOF/organic heterojunction architecture[J]. J. Semicond., 2026, accepted doi: 10.1088/1674-4926/25110031

      Broadband self-powered photodetector enabled by a MOF/organic heterojunction architecture

      DOI: 10.1088/1674-4926/25110031
      CSTR: 32376.14.1674-4926.25110031
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      • Mingke Yu received his Bachelor’s degree from Sun Yat-sen University in 2024. He is currently a Master’s student at Sun Yat-sen University under the supervision of Prof. Hong Wang. His research interests focus on organic photodetectors
      • Hong Wang received his Ph.D. degree from Xiamen University in 2014. He is currently an Associate Professor at Sun Yat-sen University. His research interests include organic photodetectors and biosensors
      • Yanghui Liu received his doctoral degree from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2016. He is currently an Associate Professor at Sun Yat-sen University. His research interests include oxide-based photodetectors and neuromorphic devices
      • Gang Liu received his Ph.D. degree from the National University of Singapore in 2009. He is currently a Professor at Sun Yat-sen University. His research interests focus on brain-inspired and bio-inspired devices, chips, and integrated microsystems
      • Corresponding author: wanghong3@mail.sysu.edu.cnliuyanghui@mail.sysu.edu.cnliugang82@mail.sysu.edu.cn
      • Received Date: 2025-11-30
      • Revised Date: 2025-12-24
      • Available Online: 2026-01-13

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