Enhanced photoelectric and thermoelectric coupling factor in BiMn2O5 ferroelectric film

Ferroelectric film materials have attracted significant interest due to their potential for harvesting various forms of clean energy from natural environmental sources. However, the photoelectric performance of these materials is frequently constrained by heat generation during light absorption, resulting in significant thermal losses. Most of ferroelectric films produce photocurrent and thermocurrent with opposite polarity, thus weakening the coupled photo-thermoelectric output of the devices. Here we report on a LaNiO 3 /BiMn 2 O 5 (BMO)/ITO ferroelectric film to produce photocurrent and thermocurrent with the same polarity. The polarity of the photocurrent generated by the BMO film is shown to be determined solely by the direction of spontaneous polarization, overcoming the detrimental effect of Schottky barrier for energy harvesting in device. We propose a new strategy to enhance the coupling factor, thereby offering valuable new insights for optimizing the utilization of ferroelectric materials in both light and heat energy applications. This work reports on a LaNiO 3 / BiMn 2 O 5 /ITO (indium tin oxide) ferroelectric device synthesized via the sol-gel method, which is shown to provide photo-thermal current with a common polarity to constructively enhance the coupled photo-thermoelectric output, offering valuable new insights for optimizing the utilization of ferroelectric materials in both light and heat energy applications. • A pioneering LaNiO 3 /BiMn 2 O 5 /ITO ferroelectric device synergistically enhances photoelectric and thermoelectric currents, breaking the traditional energy harvesting barriers. • The BMO ferroelectric thin film shows higher photo-thermoelectric coupling factor due to its unique polarization-driven current direction. • Optimal device tuning leads to an enhanced energy-harvesting efficiency, realizing its potential in self-powered technologies.