Photoactive piezoelectric energy harvester driven by antimony sulfoiodide (SbSI): A AVBVICVII class ferroelectric-semiconductor compound

Antimony sulfoiodide (SbSI) has been demonstrated to act as an effective energy harvester due to its ferroelectric-semiconductor characteristics. This has furthered the advancement of futuristic self-powered optoelectronic devices. We studied the feasibility of designing an SbSI-based piezoelectric nanogenerators (PNGs) with polymer matrix interfaces, such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). SbSI/PMMA composites exhibit promising states with respect to the potential establishment of SbSI/PMMA piezoelectric nanogenerator (S-PNG). Furthermore, as-fabricated S-PNG is highly stable, with an average peak to peak electrical response of ~ 5 V and 150 nA. The employment of SbSI overcomes the limitations of PNGs made of insulator materials, enabling the generation of dual harvesters. The piezo-phototronic properties of SbSI/PMMA composite and single SbSI micro rod (SMR) were extensively investigated. These harvesters incorporate both mechanical and optical sources, thereby providing broad opportunities for the expansion of piezoelectronic material systems.