Solar energy harvesting with ferroelectric materials

Harvesting solar energy could be the key to energy sustainability for humankind. To harvest solar energy, different mechanisms and materials have been adopted. Ferroelectric materials with diverse functionalities could be utilized to harvest solar energy through various mechanisms. The present chapter discusses solar energy harvesting strategies using ferroelectric materials through solar photovoltaics and photochemical energy conversion. Solar photovoltaics using ferroelectrics, albeit being still in its early stage, is a promising technology. Unlike conventional silicon solar cell technology, the fundamental mechanism of ferroelectric photovoltaics allows large open circuit voltage through bulk photovoltaic effect. We discuss the fundamental physics behind the solar energy conversion first, in traditional p-n junction solar cell, and then extend that to prototype ferroelectrics. A material design strategy toward selection of potential ferroelectrics for solar photovoltaics is also discussed. We review the present state of the art of the above technology from the perspective of perovskite halides and transition metal oxides. Photochemical conversion of solar energy using ferroelectrics from the perspective of dissociation of water for production of hydrogen has been discussed. Further, materials’ property requirement for efficient photochemical conversion is reviewed.