Recent advances in graphene-based self-powered photodetectors for flexible and sustainable photonic technologies: a comprehensive review

Graphene, renowned for its exceptional optical, electrical, and mechanical properties, has gained substantial attention in enhancing the performance of self-powered photodetectors. This review provides a comprehensive exploration of recent advancements in graphene-based self-powered photodetectors, focusing on fabrication techniques, working mechanisms, and material integration. The unique properties of graphene significantly improve spectral sensitivity, detectivity, and responsivity in photodetector architectures, including photodiodes, phototransistors, and hybrid structures. Additionally, integrating other 2D materials, such as perovskites and quantum dots, into graphene-based devices further enhances their performance, making them more efficient and versatile. The review addresses major challenges, including scalability, material consistency, environmental stability, and responsivity across various wavelength ranges, while offering future directions for advancing graphene’s role in next-generation optoelectronics. Moreover, the integration of graphene with energy-efficient technologies unlocks new opportunities for applications in wearable devices, the Internet of Things (IoT), and autonomous sensing systems. The self-powered nature of these photodetectors, driven by mechanisms like photovoltaic and photogating effects, eliminates the need for external power sources, making them ideal for portable, flexible, and energy-efficient systems. This review provides valuable insights and critical assessments for researchers and engineers in the field, highlighting the immense potential of graphene-enhanced self-powered photodetectors for future applications.