A hybrid system for plasmonic and surface polarization induced pyro-phototronic harvesting of light

Finding of surface polarization dependent pyroelectric phenomena that is independent of noncentrosymmetricity of the involved crystalline material has been an immense success for removing the bottlenecks in achieving pyroelectricity. With the realization of photo-induced surface polarization dependent pyroelectric effect, the pyro-phototronic harvesting of light has seen further ease. Here we present a conceptually novel work that combines photo-induced surface polarization generated pyro-phototronic effect in a completely organic crystalline system of plasma polymerized aniline-crystalline Rubrene (PPA-CRB) with plasmonic gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) in order to achieve enhanced light harvesting. In our work, we have effectively utilized the carriers generated from interband transition of Au NPs in the UV-A region, while enhanced carrier generation in the near infrared (NIR) region is obtained further owing to the tunability of the plasmonic absorption region of Au enabling the designed configuration for broadband light harvesting. The fabricated device exhibits fast response attributed to the surface polarization dependent pyro-phototronic effect at the interface of Au NPs and the organic semiconductor framework PPA-CRB. Plasma based single step and environmental friendly synthesis of PPA-CRB film adds further feasibility to the process. The fabricated device works well under zero biased condition, thus making this hybrid system eligible for self-powered broadband light harvesting applications.

Automated summary

The discovery of surface polarization dependent pyroelectric phenomena has been a significant breakthrough in achieving pyroelectricity independently of the noncentrosymmetricity of the crystalline material. By combining photo-induced surface polarization generated pyro-phototronic effect with plasmonic gold nanoparticles in an organic crystalline system, enhanced light harvesting with tunability for broadband application is achieved. The fabricated device operates effectively under zero biased condition, making it suitable for self-powered broadband light harvesting applications.