Tunable Dynamic Black Phosphorus/Insulator/Si Heterojunction Direct-Current Generator Based on the Hot Electron Transport

Abstract

<jats:p>Static heterojunction-based electronic devices have been widely applied because carrier dynamic processes between semiconductors can be designed through band gap engineering. Herein, we demonstrate a tunable direct-current generator based on the dynamic heterojunction, whose mechanism is based on breaking the symmetry of drift and diffusion currents and rebounding hot carrier transport in dynamic heterojunctions. Furthermore, the output voltage can be delicately adjusted and enhanced with the interface energy level engineering of inserting dielectric layers. Under the ultrahigh interface electric field, hot electrons will still transfer across the interface through the tunneling and hopping effect. In particular, the intrinsic anisotropy of black phosphorus arising from the lattice structure produces extraordinary electronic, transport, and mechanical properties exploited in our dynamic heterojunction generator. Herein, the voltage of 6.1 V, current density of 124.0 A/m<jats:sup>2</jats:sup>, power density of 201.0 W/m<jats:sup>2</jats:sup>, and energy-conversion efficiency of 31.4% have been achieved based on the dynamic black phosphorus/AlN/Si heterojunction, which can be used to directly and synchronously light up light-emitting diodes. This direct-current generator has the potential to convert ubiquitous mechanical energy into electric energy and is a promising candidate for novel portable and miniaturized power sources in the in situ energy acquisition field.</jats:p>

Scanning Probing of the Tribovoltaic Effect at the Sliding Interface of Two Semiconductors

“…[ 5 ] Recently, it was found that the CE will be very different when the semiconductor is involved. [ 6 ] The current can be generated by the contact or sliding of a P‐type semiconductor against an N‐type semiconductor [ 7–9 ] (or semiconductor against metal [ 10–12 ] ), and a novel electric generator was proposed. [ 7 ] This new type of electric generator is gaining attention for that a direct current can be generated without a rectifier module.…”

“…[ 7 ] This new type of electric generator is gaining attention for that a direct current can be generated without a rectifier module. [ 8–11 ] However, the mechanism of the current generation in the CE involving semiconductors is still under debate.…”

Polarized Water Driven Dynamic PN Junction-Based Direct-Current Generator

“…The highly polarized water molecules can work as conductive dielectric medium, where the distribution of electron density resembles the picture of black holes [ 45 ]. Recent studies about the dynamic metal-semiconductor junction [ 46 – 48 ], semiconductor-semiconductor junction [ 49 – 51 ], and other semiconductor system [ 52 – 61 ] provide an inspiration to explore the electronic dynamics at the dynamic water/semiconductor junction interface [ 62 , 63 ]. In particular, we have proposed the physical phenomenon of the carriers rebounding in the dynamic junction generator with ultrahigh built-in electric field at the semiconductor interface [ 49 – 51 ], which can instantaneously polarize the water molecules in the semiconductor interface.…”

“…Recent studies about the dynamic metal-semiconductor junction [ 46 – 48 ], semiconductor-semiconductor junction [ 49 – 51 ], and other semiconductor system [ 52 – 61 ] provide an inspiration to explore the electronic dynamics at the dynamic water/semiconductor junction interface [ 62 , 63 ]. In particular, we have proposed the physical phenomenon of the carriers rebounding in the dynamic junction generator with ultrahigh built-in electric field at the semiconductor interface [ 49 – 51 ], which can instantaneously polarize the water molecules in the semiconductor interface. Herein, we design a dynamic PN junction generator with water as a moving dielectric medium between two semiconductors, which has been rarely investigated before [ 64 , 65 ].…”

Wind driven semiconductor electricity generator with high direct current output based on a dynamic Schottky junction

“…[21][22][23][24] In order to store energy and consume energy, the generator also needs an external rectifying circuit to change this into direct current. In contrast, direct current generators, [25][26][27][28] like nanogenerators, [29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36] which do not need an additional rectifying circuit to convert alternating current, [37][38][39] have greater potential and will be more efficient to power sensors directly. 40,41 However, for powering the distributed sensors in the IoTs and making the wind generator more convenient, there is an urgent need to invent a novel type of generator using a simpler device.…”