Thakran ANain AKataria MPaul Inbaraj C.RLin H.-YLin H.-ILiao Y.-MHou C.-FWang C.-CHUAN-TSUNG CHANGChen Y.-F.2022-12-142022-12-14202123304022https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85116286922&doi=10.1021%2facsphotonics.1c00885&partnerID=40&md5=c14d620a1124ad6e6f59202d05893322https://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/626288The molecule-like metal nanoclusters gained wide attention from biomedical to energy applications in recent years owing to their discrete spectra. These atomically precise metal nanoclusters exhibit a significant band opening and consequently the possibility for strong light emission. Based upon previous reports on conventional semiconductors, the semiconducting nature of these nanoclusters combined with two-dimensional semimetals can have a huge impact on optoelectronic devices. The present work demonstrates that a hybrid structure of glutathione stabilized gold nanoclusters (GSH-Au NCs) with monolayer graphene can serve as a highly sensitive photodetector. The underlying mechanism can be well understood by the fact that the photoexcited carriers in GSH-Au NCs enable them to effectively transfer into the highly conductive graphene transporting layer. Under 325 nm laser illumination, a photoresponsivity of 7 A W-1 estimated in GSH-Au NCs photodetector has been enhanced to 2 × 105 A W-1 through the hybrid GSH-Au NCs/graphene photodetector, which is the highest value among metal nanoclusters based devices. Additionally, the compatibility of metal nanocluster film on flexible substrates has been demonstrated. The GSH-Au NCs exhibit a stable photoresponse under the application of systematic mechanical strain, manifesting their excellent mechanical stability. Thus, our work establishes the outstanding photodetecting property of gold nanocluster thin films, which holds a promising potential for future development of cost-effective and solution-processed optoelectronic devices, including emerging wearable technology. © 2021 American Chemical Society.2D materials; flexible; gold nanoclusters; hybrid structures; photodetectorsCost effectiveness; Gold; Heterojunctions; Hybrid materials; Mechanical stability; Nanoclusters; Photodetectors; Photons; Wearable technology; 2d material; Discrete spectrum; Energy applications; Flexible; Gold nanocluster; Hybrid structure; Metal nanoclusters; Optoelectronics devices; Photo detection; Two-dimensional; Graphenejournal article10.1021/acsphotonics.1c008852-s2.0-85116286922