Photoelectric sensors constructed based on nanomaterials and their applications

Queen Mary University of London Engineering School, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, 710072, Shaanxi, China

^* Corresponding author: wwj1015@mail.nwpu.edu.cn

Abstract

Photoelectric sensors are electronic components that use the photoelectric effect to convert optical signals into electrical signals and are widely used in industrial automation, environmental monitoring, medical devices, and other fields. With continuous progress in fields such as information technology, material science, and manufacturing technology, optoelectronic sensor technology has developed rapidly. Nanomaterials have broad application prospects in optoelectronic sensors due to their unique properties. On the one hand, nanomaterials can enhance the electromagnetic field of light, leading to charge separation and enhanced electron transport, thereby achieving higher photoelectric conversion efficiency. On the other hand, nanomaterials have a larger specific surface area and higher light absorption and photosensitivity. In addition, due to the small size of nanomaterials, their surface energy has a greater impact and their response to the environment is more sensitive. This makes optoelectronic sensors based on nanomaterials a current research hotspot. Therefore, this article mainly introduces photoelectric sensors constructed using nanomaterials and their applications. This article first introduces various optoelectronic sensors made of nanomaterials, including inorganic semiconductors, organic photovoltaic materials, and two-dimensional materials. In addition, its applications in food safety, environmental monitoring, and medical fields were emphasized. It has reference significance for the development of future photoelectric sensors.