Ag Nanowire-Integrated MoS2/ZnO Heterojunctions for Highly Efficient Photogenerated Charge Transfer

The integration of silver nanowire (AgNW) networks with MoS₂/ZnO heterojunctions leads to a remarkable enhancement in surface photovoltage (SPV) response. In the visible wavelength range, the heterojunctions with AgNWs achieve an SPV signal of ≈200 mV, a fourfold increase compared to the counterparts without AgNWs (≈50 mV). Wavelength-dependent nanoscopic SPV mapping suggests that this enhancement originates from efficient charge transfer between MoS₂ and ZnO. Moreover, the embedded AgNWs raise the local electric potential at the MoS₂ surface by several tens of mV, thereby facilitating the collection of photogenerated electrons. Optical calculations reveal that AgNWs concentrate incident light in neighboring layers across a broad wavelength range, further boosting photocarrier generation. These results, along with photoluminescence spectra, suggest that photocarrier transfer at the MoS₂/ZnO heterointerfaces is significantly enhanced due to the synergistic effects of light concentration, local potential modifications, and improved electric conduction caused by the AgNW networks.