Enhanced photovoltaic-pyroelectric coupled effect of BiFeO3/Au/ZnO heterostructures. (July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Yaju; Su, Huanxin; Li, Hui; Xie, Zhongshuai; Zhang, Yuanzheng; Zhou, Yan; Yang, Liya; Lu, Haowei; Yuan, Guoliang; Zheng, Haiwu
• Is Part Of: Nano energy. Volume 85(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-07
• Subjects: BiFeO3 films -- Pyroelectric effect -- Photovoltaic effect -- Self-polarization -- Band bending; Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanostructured materials -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Nanoscience; Nanostructured materials; Nanotechnology; Power resources -- Technological innovations; Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2021.105968
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2211-2855

Abstract

Abstract: The photovoltaic properties of ferroelectric films and ferroelectric-semiconductor heterostructures have been extensively studied due to their application prospects in photodetection, energy conversion and nonvolatile storage. However, light-induced pyroelectric effect accompanied by the photovoltaic effect of ferroelectric-semiconductor heterostructures lacks sufficient attention. Herein, BiFeO3 (BFO)/Au/ZnO heterostructures are constructed by controlling sputtering time of Au nanoparticles and the regulation mechanism of integrating pyroelectric and photovoltaic effects is explored. The short-circuit photocurrent density of the optimal BFO/Au/ZnO heterostructures is nearly 1.4 times that of BFO/ZnO heterostructures under 405 nm light illumination. Moreover, BFO/Au/ZnO heterostructures broaden the response wavelength from 360 nm to 1060 nm light beyond the bandgap limitation. Compared with merely the photovoltaic effect found in BFO films and BFO/ZnO heterostructures, BFO/Au/ZnO heterostructures display the photovoltaic-pyroelectric coupled effect that is associated with light-induced temperature variation rate and band alignment by introducing Au nanoparticles into BFO and ZnO layers. The implementation of the photovoltaic-pyroelectric coupled effect endows BFO/Au/ZnO heterostructures with outstanding photoelectric performances modulated by self-polarization phenomenon and band bending. This work not only provides in-depth understanding about the photovoltaic-pyroelectric coupled effect of ferroelectric-metal-semiconductor heterostructures, but also provides an effective and facile route to design high-performance photoelectric related devices with wideband response. Graphical Abstract: The improvement in photovoltaic performances of ferroelectric-semiconductor heterojunctions is ascribed to the construction of energy band structure tuning, whereas ferroelectric-semiconductor heterojunctions have negligible light-induced pyroelectric effect. In this work, the introduction of Au nanoparticles into BFO and ZnO layers not only endows the BFO/Au/ZnO heterostructures with broadened response wavelength from 360 nm to 1060 nm light beyond the bandgap limitation, but also integrates light-induced pyroelectric effect and photovoltaic effect. BFO/20 s Au/ZnO heterostructures display the optimal photoelectric performances and appreciable pyroelectric effect governed by self-polarization phenomenon and band bending. ga1 Highlights: Au nanoparticles modified BiFeO3 /Au/ZnO heterostructures display improved photoelectric properties and broadband response. The integration of light-induced pyroelectric and photovoltaic effects of BiFeO3 /Au/ZnO heterostructures is manipulated. The photoelectric properties of BiFeO3 /Au/ZnO heterostructures are governed by self-polarization phenomenon and band bending.