Scavenging Energy Sources Using Ferroelectric Materials

Ferroelectric materials have attracted interest for over a hundred years as a result of their spontaneous polarization and a polarization orientation that can be reversed by the application of an external electric field. In addition, the degree of polarization can be affected by external stimuli such as vibrations, stress, heat, and light. These properties enable ferroelectric materials to be used to fabricate nanogenerators, which are devices used in energy scavenging applications and provide an opportunity to obtain electrical energy from a variety of external stimuli. This review discusses the development of ferroelectric-based nanogenerators for scavenging mechanical, thermal, and solar energies through the piezoelectric effect, pyroelectric effect, and photovoltaic effect, respectively. The mechanisms of the effects and the pathways to optimize the output performance of the nanogenerators are analyzed in detail. Recent developments in energy harvesting using ferroelectric materials are discussed with the objective to motivate attention and efforts in this growing field.

Automated summary

Ferroelectric materials with spontaneous polarization and reversible polarization orientation under external electric field have been used to fabricate nanogenerators for energy scavenging from various external stimuli such as vibrations, stress, heat, and light. Piezoelectric, pyroelectric, and photovoltaic effects are harnessed to harvest mechanical, thermal, and solar energies, with detailed analysis on optimizing the output performance of nanogenerators. Recent developments in energy harvesting using ferroelectric materials aim to draw attention and efforts in this growing field.