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Updated: Aug 9, 2025

A Fabrication and Measurement Method for a Flexible Ferroelectric Element Based on Van Der Waals Heteroepitaxy
Published on: April 8, 2018
Revisiting the Ferroelectric Photovoltaic Properties of Vertical BiFeO3 Capacitors: A Comprehensive Study
Lu You1, Amr Abdelsamie2, Yang Zhou3
1Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Thin Films, School of Physical Science and Technology, Soochow University, 1 Shizi Street, Suzhou 215006, China.
Abstract:
The ferroelectric photovoltaic effect has been extensively studied for possible applications in energy conversion and photo-electrics. The reversible spontaneous polarization gives rise to a switchable photovoltaic behavior. However, despite its long history, the origin of the ferroelectric photovoltaic effect still lacks a full understanding since multiple mechanisms such as bulk and Schottky-barrier-related interface effects are involved. Herein, we report a comprehensive study on the photovoltaic response of BiFeO3-based vertical heterostructures, using multiple strategies to clarify its origin. We found that, under white light illumination, polarization-modulated Schottky barrier at the interface is the dominating mechanism. By varying the top metal contacts, only the photovoltaic effect of the polarization downward state is strongly modulated, suggesting selective interface contribution in different polarization states. A Schottky-barrier-free device shows negligible photovoltaic effect, suggesting the lack of bulk photovoltaic effect in vertical heterostructures under white light illumination.
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