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Exploring a Lead‐free Semiconducting Hybrid Ferroelectric with a Zero‐Dimensional Perovskite‐like Structure
Author(s) -
Sun Zhihua,
Zeb Aurang,
Liu Sijie,
Ji Chengmin,
Khan Tariq,
Li Lina,
Hong Maochun,
Luo Junhua
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.201606079
Subject(s) - ferroelectricity , perovskite (structure) , materials science , octahedron , band gap , halide , optoelectronics , photovoltaics , photoconductivity , polarization (electrochemistry) , conductivity , nanotechnology , dielectric , crystallography , crystal structure , chemistry , inorganic chemistry , electrical engineering , photovoltaic system , engineering
Abstract Perovskite lead halides (CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 ) have recently taken a promising position in photovoltaics and optoelectronics because of remarkable semiconducting properties and possible ferroelectricity. However, the potential toxicity of lead arouses great environmental concern for widespread application. A new chemically tailored lead‐free semiconducting hybrid ferroelectric is reported, N ‐methylpyrrolidinium) 3 Sb 2 Br 9 ( 1 ), which consists of a zero‐dimensional (0‐D) perovskite‐like anionic framework connected by corner‐ sharing SbBr 6 coordinated octahedra. It presents a large ferroelectric spontaneous polarization of approximately 7.6 μC cm −2 , as well as notable semiconducting properties, including positive temperature‐dependent conductivity and ultraviolet‐sensitive photoconductivity. Theoretical analysis of electronic structure and energy gap discloses a dominant contribution of the 0‐D perovskite‐like structure to the semiconducting properties of the material. This finding throws light on the rational design of new perovskite‐like hybrids, especially lead‐free semiconducting ferroelectrics.