Ferroelectric Modulation in Flexible Lead-Free Perovskite Schottky Direct-Current Nanogenerator for Capsule-Like Magnetic Suspension Sensor.

Jiang, Feng; Thangavel, Gurunathan; Zhou, Xinran; Adit, Gupta; Fu, Hongbo; Lv, Jian; Zhan, Liuxiang; Zhang, Yihui et al. · Adv Mater · 2023

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

The tribovoltaic nanogenerator (TVNG), a promising semiconductor energy technology, displays outstanding advantages such as low matching impedance and continuous direct-current output. However, the lack of controllable and stable performance modulation strategies is still a major bottleneck that impedes further practical applications of TVNG. Herein, by leveraging the ferroelectricity-enhanced mechanism and the control of interfacial energy band bending, a lead-free perovskite-based (3,3-difluorocyclobutylammonium)<sub>2</sub> CuCl<sub>4</sub> ((DF-CBA)<sub>2</sub> CuCl<sub>4</sub> )/Al Schottky junction TVNG is constructed. The multiaxial ferroelectricity of (DF-CBA)<sub>2</sub> CuCl<sub>4</sub> enables an excellent surface charge modulating capacity, realizing a high work function regulation of ≈0.7 eV and over 15-fold current regulation (from 6 to 93 µA) via an electrical poling control. The controllable electrical poling leads to elevated work function difference between the Al electrode and (DF-CBA)<sub>2</sub> CuCl<sub>4</sub> compared to traditional semiconductors and halide perovskites, which creates a stronger built-in electric field at the Schottky interface to enhance the electrical output. This TVNG device exhibits outstanding flexibility and long-term stability (>20 000 cycles) that can endure extreme mechanical deformations, and can also be used in a capsule-like magnetic suspension device capable of detecting vibration and weights of different objects as well as harvesting energy from human motions and water waves.