Photovoltaics in Ferroelectric Materials: Origin, Challenges and Opportunities

Geneste, Grégory; Bellaïche, L.; Kreisel, J.; Alexe, Marin; Dkhil, Brahim

doi:10.1002/9781119407690.ch4

Cited by 3 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 118 publications

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“…[23] Note also that the typical photocarriers diffusion length is <100 nm which imposes a maximal size to limit their recombination. [22] In this work, we show that 60 nm-sized BFO nanoparticles (NPs) display extremely high piezocatalytic activity efficiency, with record value, as well as wide versatility enabling to piezodecompose various organic contaminants such as dyes and pharmaceuticals, when subjected to ultrasonic wave excitation in the dark without the involvement of any sacrificial molecules or cocatalysts. Interestingly, combined with light illumination, BFO is found for the first time to have a much higher piezocatalytic efficiency, as the catalytic activity dramatically improves allowing the degradation rate of the model Rhodamine B (RhB) dye to reach 41 750 L mol −1 min −1 (i.e., ≈100% degradation ratio within 5 min) via this piezo-photocatalysis process.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…Moreover, the small bandgap (≈2.2–2.6 eV) [ 22 ] compared to other ferroelectrics (>3 eV), has made this model multiferroic suitable for photocatalytic applications using wider illumination range freely available in natural sunlight. [ 23 ] Note also that the typical photocarriers diffusion length is <100 nm which imposes a maximal size to limit their recombination.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[ 23 ] Note also that the typical photocarriers diffusion length is <100 nm which imposes a maximal size to limit their recombination. [ 22 ]…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…With its high piezoelectric response and low enough dielectric response, BFO could be a highly suitable compound for piezocatalytic activity, as suggested very recently in either BFO nanosheets and nanowires or core-shell structures with BFO particles of 100-500 nm sizes. [21] Moreover, the small bandgap (≈2.2-2.6 eV) [22] compared to other ferroelectrics (>3 eV), has made this model multiferroic suitable for photocatalytic applications using wider illumination range freely available in natural sunlight. [23] Note also that the typical photocarriers diffusion length is <100 nm which imposes a maximal size to limit their recombination.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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BiFeO₃ Nanoparticles: The “Holy‐Grail” of Piezo‐Photocatalysts?

et al. 2023

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Recently, piezoelectric‐based catalysis has been demonstrated to be an efficient means and promising alternative to sunlight‐driven photocatalysis, where mechanical vibrations trigger redox reactions. Here, 60 nm‐size BiFeO3 nanoparticles are shown to be very effective for piezo‐degrading Rhodamine B (RhB) model dye with record degradation rate reaching 13 810 L mol−1 min−1, and even 41 750 L mol−1 min−1 (i.e., 100% RhB degradation within 5 min) when piezocatalysis is synergistically combined with sunlight photocatalysis. These BiFeO3 piezocatalytic nanoparticles are also demonstrated to be versatile toward several dyes and pharmaceutical pollutants, with over 80% piezo‐decomposition within 120 min. The maintained high piezoelectric coefficient combined with low dielectric constant, high‐elastic modulus, and the nanosized shape make these BiFeO3 nanoparticles extremely efficient piezocatalysts. To avoid subsequent secondary pollution and enable their reusability, the BiFeO3 nanoparticles are further embedded in a polymer P(VDF‐TrFE) matrix. The as‐designed flexible, chemically stable, and recyclable nanocomposites still keep remarkable piezocatalytic and piezo‐photocatalytic performances (i.e., 92% and 100% RhB degradation, respectively, within 20 min). This work opens a new research avenue for BiFeO3 that is the model multiferroic and offers a new platform for water cleaning, as well as other applications such as water splitting, CO2 reduction, or surface purification.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[ 23 ] Note also that the typical photocarriers diffusion length is <100 nm which imposes a maximal size to limit their recombination. [ 22 ]…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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BiFeO₃ Nanoparticles: The “Holy‐Grail” of Piezo‐Photocatalysts?

et al. 2023

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“…However, the ballistic current can also result from the contributions of the asymmetric scattering and recombination of the non-equilibrium carriers. Accordingly, within the dipoleimpurity model, the ballistic current can be modified as J Bal = eρ as l = eφξ αI ℏω Vτ , where ξ, ρ as , l, τ , φ, α, and ℏω are the asymmetry parameter, asymmetry term for photo-generation, the electron mean free path, relaxation time, quantum yield, light absorption coefficient, and photon energy, respectively [34,70]. The model suggests that for k 0 a ≃ 1, the asymmetry parameter will not exceed ξ max = 0.1, where k 0 is momentum, and a is the lattice constant [71].…”

Section: Ballistic Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review on ferroelectric systems for next generation photovoltaic applications

Pal¹,

Sarath²,

Priya³

et al. 2022

J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys.

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Ferroelectric materials, a non-centrosymmetric crystal system with switchable polarization characterization, are known to show multifunctional application potential in various fields. Among them, the ferroelectric photovoltaic phenomenon, which is known for several decades, is finding renewed interest in recent times due to its anomalous photovoltaic characteristics along with the reported efficiency exceeding Shockley–Queisser limit in the nanoscale region. Importantly, the mechanism involved in the ferroelectric photovoltaic effect is particularly different from the conventional photovoltaic effect exhibited by the semiconductor p–n junction solar cell. The observed above bandgap photovoltage in the ferroelectric system, and the versatility in their tunable physical characteristics makes them as one of the next generation photovoltaic materials both in terms of fundamental and technological research. However, the biggest barrier in developing the ferroelectric photovoltaic solar cell is their very low photocurrent response, which could be surmounted by bandgap engineering, surface charge manipulation, interface control, electrode effect etc. Interestingly, the photovoltaic response coupled with other physical phenomena such as piezoelectric and flexoelectric effects gives additional momentum to the continuing research on ferroelectric photovoltaic effect. In this article, the detailed understanding associated with various proposed mechanisms, recent progress on the improvement in ferroelectric photovoltaic parameters, photovoltaic phenomenon coupling with other fascinating effects exhibited by ferroelectric systems are described from the fundamental to application point of view.

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Theoretical and experimental investigation on the visible-light controlled functional properties in charged domain wall ferroelectrics

Ordoñez Pimentel

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(English) Optical control of ferroelectric properties has been attracted a growing interest as an alternative to the conventional control by applied electric fields. However, the major drawback for achieving an effective reversible optical control of domain rearrangement in conventional ferroelectrics lies in their wide optical band gap. Recent researches has reported a new form to optically control of electric polarization and its related properties by using visible light. Specifically, a light-induced local movement of domain walls was achieved, whose effects shown that the photoresponse at both local and macroscopic scales is wavelength-independent. This new phenomenon of light-matter coupling has a non-negligible time response and no light power threshold was observed. Such characteristics are observed through the crystal lattice structure, photo-induced strain and dielectric permittivity. In addition, experimental evidences suggest that the light-activated phenomenon seems to be correlated with the existence of atypical ferroelectric interfaces, known as charged domain walls, whose principal signature is to host free and bound electric charge. Undoubtedly, this phenomenon offers new possibilities for technological applications that are as yet unexplored. This thesis focuses in overcome some questions that remains to be solved concerning to this light-activated phenomenon. That is: What is the physical insight about the photo-ferroelectric response? Is the extension towards polycrystalline materials feasible? Are there other physical properties different from those already controlled enable to be modified? To answer these question, the thesis divides into two parts: one theoretical and another one experimental. In the first part, a phenomenology model describing the visible light-induced photoresponse is developed, which assumes that visible light modifies charged domain wall compensation so that the built-in electric fields in the system changes, thereby triggering the domain wall motion. As a result, a rearrangement of the domain structure occurs, leading to a macroscopic polarization variation and, consequently, the related properties. Regarding to extension towards polycrystalline materials, it is successfully proved that photoresponse can be observed by the optical control of the photo-induced strain. Furthermore, it is proved the hypothesis that the existence of charged domain walls is a requirement for the photoresponse to manifest. Finally, the thesis reports for first time that the mechanical response of a ferrolectric ceramics can be modulated by visible light, highlighting the role of the charged domain walls. In a broader perspective, this work contributes to extending the fundamental knowledge based on light-ferroelectric coupling, opening new opportunities to speed up the development of a new generation of contact-less photoelectronic devices. (Español) El control óptico de las propiedades ferroeléctricas tiene un creciente interés como alternativa viable al control convencional mediante campos eléctricos. El mayor inconveniente para conseguir un control óptico efectivo y reversible de la configuración de dominios ferroeléctricos radica en que los ferroeléctricos convencionales tienen un alto gap de banda. Investigaciones recientes han reportado una nueva forma de controlar ópticamente la polarización eléctrica y sus propiedades relacionadas mediante el uso de luz visible. En particular, se ha conseguido lograr un movimiento local de las paredes del dominio inducido por la luz, cuyos efectos mostraron que la fotorrespuesta a escala local y macroscópica es independiente de la longitud de onda en el espectro visible. Este nuevo fenómeno de acoplamiento luz-materia tiene una respuesta temporal no despreciable y no se observó ningún umbral de potencia de luz. Tales características se han observado a través de la deformación fotoinducida y cambios en la permitividad dieléctrica con luz. Además, las evidencias experimentales sugieren que el fenómeno activado por la luz parece estar correlacionado con la existencia de interfaces ferroeléctricas atípicas, conocidas como paredes de dominios cargadas, cuya característica principal es albergar carga libre y ligada. Sin duda, este fenómeno ofrece nuevas posibilidades de aplicaciones tecnológicas aún inexploradas. Esta tesis se centra en superar algunas cuestiones que quedan por resolver en relación con este fenómeno activado por la luz. Esto es, ¿Cuál es el origen físico de la respuesta foto-ferroeléctrica? ¿Es factible la extensión de este fenómeno a materiales policristalinos? ¿Existen otras propiedades físicas distintas a las ya controladas que se puedan modificar con luz? Para responder a estas preguntas, la tesis se divide en dos partes: una teórica y otra experimental. En la primera parte, se desarrolla un modelo fenomenológico que describe la fotorrespuesta inducida por la luz visible, asumindo que la luz visible modifica la compensación de la pared de los dominios cargados produciendo un cambio en los campos eléctricos internos del sistema, lo que desencadena el movimiento de las paredes de dominio. Como resultado, se produce un reordenamiento de la estructura del dominio, lo que conduce a una variación de la polarización macroscópica y, en consecuencia, de las propiedades relacionadas con ésta. En cuanto a la extensión hacia materiales policristalinos, en la tesis se demuestra con éxito que la fotorrespuesta es observable en policristales mediante el control óptico de la deformación fotoinducida. Además, se prueba la hipótesis de que la existencia de paredes de dominio cargadas es un requisito para que se manifieste la fotorrespuesta. Finalmente, la tesis reporta, por primera vez, que la respuesta mecánica de una cerámica ferroeléctrica puede ser modulada por luz visible, destacando el papel de las paredes de dominio cargadas. Desde una perspectiva más amplia, este trabajo contribuye a ampliar los conocimientos fundamentales basados en el acoplamiento entre luz visible y materiales ferroeléctricos, abriendo nuevas oportunidades para acelerar el desarrollo de una nueva generación de dispositivos fotocontrolados.

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Photovoltaics in Ferroelectric Materials: Origin, Challenges and Opportunities

Cited by 3 publications

References 118 publications

BiFeO₃ Nanoparticles: The “Holy‐Grail” of Piezo‐Photocatalysts?

BiFeO₃ Nanoparticles: The “Holy‐Grail” of Piezo‐Photocatalysts?

A review on ferroelectric systems for next generation photovoltaic applications

Theoretical and experimental investigation on the visible-light controlled functional properties in charged domain wall ferroelectrics

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Photovoltaics in Ferroelectric Materials: Origin, Challenges and Opportunities

Cited by 3 publications

References 118 publications

BiFeO3 Nanoparticles: The “Holy‐Grail” of Piezo‐Photocatalysts?

BiFeO3 Nanoparticles: The “Holy‐Grail” of Piezo‐Photocatalysts?

A review on ferroelectric systems for next generation photovoltaic applications

Theoretical and experimental investigation on the visible-light controlled functional properties in charged domain wall ferroelectrics

Contact Info

Product

Resources

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BiFeO₃ Nanoparticles: The “Holy‐Grail” of Piezo‐Photocatalysts?

BiFeO₃ Nanoparticles: The “Holy‐Grail” of Piezo‐Photocatalysts?