Development of Photofunctional Devices Based on Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Structures

In this research, organic–inorganic hybrid materials that enable the detection and manipulation of “invisible light” such as weak light, polarized light, and near-infrared (NIR) light are prepared and optoelectronic devices based on these materials are developed. The photoelectric conversion or energy transfer process resulting from light absorption is precisely controlled at the heterointerface of organic–inorganic hybrid structures, which enables the highly efficient amplification, conversion, and detection of invisible light under normal temperatures and pressures. Here, novel optical functions and devices based on organic–inorganic hybrid structures and interfaces are presented. For instance, in a hybrid structure in which organic molecules and inorganic semiconductors are chemically bonded, photocurrent was amplified more than 2000-fold at their heterointerface, resulting in highly sensitive photodetection at a low voltage (