Self-Poled Halide Perovskite Ruddlesden-Popper Ferroelectric-Photovoltaic Semiconductor Thin Films and Their Energy Harvesting Properties

Abstract

Ambient energy harvesters with multi-source energy harvesting capabilities are highly desirable for developing compact and sustainable power solutions for emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things. In this study, thin films of low-dimensional halide perovskites, (BA)2(MA)n-1PbnBr3n+1 (n = 1, 2), are demonstrated to be both semiconducting and ferroelectric, enabling the harvesting of mechanical and ambient light energy. By incorporating Cr/Cr₂O₃ or phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) as a barrier/passivation layer, reproducible ferroelectric properties are consistently achieved in (BA)2(MA)n-1PbnBr3n+1 ₊₁ thin films. The corresponding flexible piezoelectric energy harvesters delivered a peak-to-peak open-circuit voltage of 8 V under a 10 N force, while the photovoltaic devices exhibited an open-circuit voltage of ≈1.2 V under 1 Sun illumination. This study unveils the potential of low-dimensional halide perovskite thin films for lightweight, multi-source energy harvesting and provides key insights into the crucial role of barrier layers in achieving reliable thin-film halide perovskite ferroelectric devices.