Improper High-Tc Perovskite Ferroelectric with Dielectric Bistability Enables Broadband Ultraviolet-to-Infrared Photopyroelectric Effects

The photopyroelectric effect in ferroelectrics has shown great potential for application in infrared detection and imaging. One particular subclass is broadband with dielectric bistability, which allows for large pyroelectric figures-of-merit (FOMs). Herein, an improper high-T-c perovskite ferroelectric, (IA)(2)(EA)(2)Pb3Cl10 (1, where IA is isoamylammonium and EA is ethylammonium) is presented, in which spontaneous polarization (P-s) stems from the dynamic ordering of organic cations and the tilting of distorted PbCl6 octahedra. Notably, 1 displays unusual dielectric bistability with small variations in the temperature-dependent dielectric constants near T-c = 392 K; this bistable attribute endows large pyroelectric FOMs with peak voltage efficiency (F-V = 1.7x10(-2) cm(2) mu C-1) and sensitivity (F-D = 3.9x10(-4) Pa-1/2). These F-V and F-D parameters, beyond those of their proper counterparts, make 1 a promising candidate for infrared photodetection. As expected, the broadband photopyroelectric effects observed in 1 covered the ultraviolet to infrared-II spectral region (266-1950 nm). Such P-s-directed photoactivities overcome the optical bandgap limitation and allow for wide-wave photodetection. As an innovative study on improper ferroelectricity, light is shaded here on the targeted engineering of new electrically ordered candidate materials for smart optoelectronic devices.

Automated summary

The improper perovskite ferroelectric (IA)(2)(EA)(2)Pb3Cl10 with unusual dielectric bistability near 392 K is presented. It exhibits large pyroelectric figures-of-merit (FOMs) and covers a broad spectral range from ultraviolet to infrared-II.