Tailoring the optoelectronic properties of ZnO nanowires via TiO2 coating

The photosensing properties of TiO2/ZnO nanowires (NWs) were investigated by sequential deposition using thermal oxidation and sol–gel. It was found that TiO2/ZnO NWs with 5 mM concentration exhibit a higher aspect ratio compared to the 10 mM and 25 mM TiO2/ZnO NWs. The surface-to-volume ratio directly influences the photoluminescence (PL) intensity and electrical properties of the ZnO NWs. XPS confirmed the presence of TiO2 on the surface, while EDS detected titanium, with its concentration increasing as the TiO2 concentration rises. The photosensing performance of ZnO has been significantly improved by modifying it with TiO2. However, determining the optimum concentration is a critical factor in performance improvement. The findings show that high TiO2 concentrations improve surface properties, but excessive coating may limit carrier mobility. Photosensitivity has been increased at lower TiO2 concentration due to a higher surface-to-volume ratio (SVR) and, as a result, higher surface photoactivity. The 25 mM TiO2/ZnO NW array stands out in optimal detectability and photoresponsivity due to the reduced resistance caused by the increased Ti concentration on the surface. The 25 mM TiO2/ZnO NWs achieved the highest photoresponsivity (717 mA/W) and specific detectivity (1.48 × 101° Jones), while the 5 mM TiO2/ZnO NWs exhibited exceptional photosensitivity (320.11%), making them ideal for UV detection. The samples at varying concentrations show promise in photosensitivity, detectability, and photoresponsivity, making them suitable for environmental sensors, UV detectors, and other optoelectronic applications. © Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science 2025.