All-Inkjet-Printed, Color-Selective Photodetector Array based on Organic Macrocycles-Carbon Nanotube Heterostructures

We introduce a fully inkjet-printed flexible photodetector (PD) array. The PDs leverage a unique heterostructure combining carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with photoactive organic macrocycles (OMs), enabling color selectivity. The CNT-OM integration facilitates the transfer of photo-excited carriers into the CNT channel, resulting in photocurrent generation. We adopted a multi-cartridge printing approach to simultaneously incorporate different OMS into CNTs, utilizing an inkjet home printer for the entire fabrication process. As proof of concept, a color detection system was demonstrated by reading and comparing photosignals from PDs using a microcontroller unit (MCU). Experimental results show that the PD array presents distinct signal patterns for each wavelength tested and thus can effectively differentiate the colors of light. This highlights the potential of our mass-producible PD array for various applications, such as wearable optoelectronic sensing and imaging systems.