Multilayer borophene patched PEDOT:PSS p-n junctions for medical x-ray detection

In this study, we combine n-type PEDOT:PSS with multilayer borophene nanosheets (BNSs) at defined weight ratios. As borophene is a material that behaves like a p-type, we observe the formation of localized p-n junctions along the organic-inorganic hybrid structures, as evidenced by current-voltage (I-V) curves measured in the dark and their photoconductivity behavior under specific X-ray dose rates. For instance, in the wt. 1% BNSs-doped structure, negative photocurrents stand out with increasing dose rates, while in the wt. 10% doped structure, positive photocurrents are observed in reverse and forward biases, which are typical characteristics of photodetectors. The behavior of open circuit voltage in reverse bias for the wt. 20% doped structure as a result of high doping is also discussed. We obtain the X-ray detector parameters for the structure exhibiting more dominant photodetector behavior and present them alongside comparable, though limited, studies. These findings underscore the noteworthy interactions of organic-inorganic hybrid materials and highlight the potential of borophene as a 2D material for X-ray detection.