Study on a Flexible UV Sensor with WO₃/ZnO Multilayer Structure for Smart Wearable Applications

This study presents the design and performance analysis of a flexible ultraviolet (UV) sensor based on ZnO, PEDOT, and WO<inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">3</inf>, primarily intended for smart wearable devices. Simulations conducted using Silvaco TCAD confirmed the sensor's exceptional detection capability and high sensitivity within a UV intensity range of 0.1 to 10 mW/cm2, demonstrating a strong linear relationship between the current output and UV light intensity. The interaction between the materials ZnO, PEDOT, and WO<inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">3</inf> at the interfaces enhances charge separation and transport efficiency, significantly boosting the overall photoelectric performance. Notably, the WO<inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">3</inf> layer changes color rapidly under UV exposure, providing immediate visual feedback that enables users to intuitively perceive the extent of UV exposure. This colorimetric response not only increases the practicality of the sensor but also offers real-time health and safety monitoring for users. This research underscores the potential of integrating flexible UV sensors into smart wearable technologies, promising to enhance user safety and health monitoring through intuitive user experience.