Exploring the weak visible-near-infrared and NO 2 detection capabilities of PbS/Sb 2 O 5 heterostructures with DFT interpretations.

The need for photosensors and gas sensors arises from their pivotal roles in various technological applications, ensuring enhanced efficiency, safety, and functionality in diverse fields. In this paper, interlinked PbS/Sb ₂ O ₅ thin film has been synthesized by a magnetron sputtering method. We control the temperature to form the nanocomposite by using their different nucleation temperature during the sulfonation process. A nanostructured PbS/Sb ₂ O ₅ with cross-linked morphology was synthesized by using this fast and efficient method. This method has also been used to grow a uniform thin film of nanocomposite. The photo-sensing and gas-sensing properties related to the PbS/Sb ₂ O ₅ compared with those of other nanomaterials have also been investigated. The experimental and theoretical calculations reveal that the PbS/Sb ₂ O ₅ exhibits extraordinarily superior photo-sensing and gas-sensing properties in terms of providing a pathway for electron transport to the electrode. The attractive highly sensitive photo and gas sensing properties of PbS/Sb ₂ O ₅ make them applicable for many different kinds of applications. The responsivity and detectivity of PbS/Sb ₂ O ₅ are 0.28 S/mWcm ^-2 and 1.68 × 10 ¹¹ Jones respectively. The sensor response towards NO ₂ gas was found to be 0.98 at 10 ppb with an limit of detection (LOD) of 0.083 ppb. The PbS/Sb ₂ O ₅ exhibits high selectivity towards the NO ₂ gas. Density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) were used to analyze the geometries, electronic structure, and electronic absorption spectra of a light sensor fabricated by PbS/Sb ₂ O ₅ . The results are very analogous to the experimental results. Both photosensors and gas sensors are indispensable tools that contribute significantly to the evolution of technology and the improvement of various aspects of modern life.
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