Pyroelectric response of ferroelectric nanoparticles: size effect and electric energy harvesting

TL;DR

This paper investigates how reducing the size of ferroelectric nanoparticles enhances their pyroelectric response, leading to potential high-efficiency energy harvesting near the Carnot limit.

Contribution

It provides a theoretical analysis of size effects on pyroelectric response and energy harvesting efficiency in ferroelectric nanostructures.

Findings

Pyroelectric coefficient diverges at a critical nanoparticle radius.

Giant pyroelectric currents and voltages are achievable.

Maximum energy harvesting efficiency approaches the Carnot limit at low temperatures.

Abstract

The size effect on pyroelectric response of ferroelectric nanowires and nanotubes is analyzed. The pyroelectric coefficient strongly increases with the wire radius decrease and diverges at critical radius Rcr corresponding to the size-driven transition into paraelectric phase. Size-driven enhancement of pyroelectric coupling leads to the giant pyroelectric current and voltage generation by the polarized ferroelectric nanoparticles in response to the temperature fluctuation. The maximum efficiency of the pyroelectric energy harvesting and bolometric detection is derived, and is shown to approach the Carnot limit for low temperatures.