Tape-based novel ZnO nanoaggregates photodetector

•ZnO nanoaggregates growth by facile technique.•ZnO nanoaggregates possessed a high-crystal quality with minimum structural defects.•Highly sensitive flexible UV light photodetector.•Cost effective method to fabricate highly sensitive, fast response UV sensor. [Display omitted] Flexible photonic devices are of great importance for bio-integrated optoelectronic systems and wearable sensors. Here we describe the design and experimental procedure of highly sensitive photodetector based on ZnO nanoaggregates grown onto heat-resistant flexible adhesive tape. Zn thin film has been oxidized onto the heat-resistant tape using a horizontal furnace under water vapor flow. The obtained results reveal well-defined nanoaggregates ZnO with superior structural and optical properties. The prepared films show a strong and sharp diffraction peak along the (002) plane suggesting a well-crystallized ZnO phase. Besides, ZnO nanoaggregates exhibit distinct light transmission/absorption characteristics for UV light. Photoresponse characterizations indicate that the fabricated device possesses outstanding properties. At low applied voltages, the device demonstrates a significant difference between dark and light currents. A photosensitivity of 83.45 × 102 to 365 nm light pulses was achieved with high stability and reversibility. The study revealed that the fabricated photodetector could be a very promising candidate for highly sensitive wearable electronic devices.