Macroscopic and microscopic photovoltage characteristics of detonation
nanodiamonds (DNDs) with distinct surface terminations are presented. Organic
photodiodes are fabricated based on P3HT+DNDs mixture (50 wt%). We
compare effect of hydrogen and oxygen termination of DNDs. Compared to
photodiodes without DNDs the current-voltage characteristics of photodiodes with
O-DNDs in dark and under AM 1.5 illumination show reduced dark current, and
higher photocurrent and open circuit voltage. H-DNDs shunt the photodiodes,
which is attributed to their surface conductivity. Kelvin probe force microscopy
detects a reproducible photovoltage of around 5 mV generated by a green laser
(532 nm) on both types of pristine DNDs. Thus although conductivity of H-DNDs
may represent a problem for photodiodes, both types of DNDs alone can function
as miniature energy conversion devices.