Tuning photovoltaic response in Bi2FeCrO6 films by ferroelectric poling

TL;DR

This study demonstrates how ferroelectric poling influences the photovoltaic response in Bi2FeCrO6 films, revealing hysteretic behavior and charge dynamics that could enhance ferroelectric solar cell efficiency.

Contribution

It uncovers the hysteretic photovoltaic effect dependence on electric field and poling history in Bi2FeCrO6 films, providing insights into charge carrier dynamics and potential optimization strategies.

Findings

Photovoltaic response shows hysteresis with electric field and poling history.

Light induces depolarization effects observable via electrical and PFM measurements.

Nonlinear photovoltaic behavior at high light intensities suggests avenues for performance optimization.

Abstract

Ferroelectric materials are interesting candidates for future photovoltaic applications due to their potential to overcome the fundamental limits of conventional single bandgap semiconductor-based solar cells. Although a more efficient charge separation and above bandgap photovoltages are advantageous in these materials, tailoring their photovoltaic response using ferroelectric functionalities remains puzzling. Here we address this issue by reporting a clear hysteretic character of the photovoltaic effect as a function of electric field and its dependence on the poling history. Furthermore, we obtain insight into light induced nonequilibrium charge carrier dynamics in Bi2FeCrO6 films involving not only charge generation, but also recombination processes. At the ferroelectric remanence, light is able to electrically depolarize the films with remanent and transient effects as evidenced by electrical and piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) measurements. The hysteretic nature of the photovoltaic response and its nonlinear character at larger light intensities can be used to optimize the photovoltaic performance of future ferro-electric-based solar cells.