Understanding charge transport and dielectric relaxation properties in lead-free Cs2ZrCl6 nanoparticles

In the exploration of perovskite materials devoid of lead and appropriate for capturing solar energy, a recent finding has surfaced concerning Cs2ZrCl6. This compound has attracted interest as a potential candidate, displaying advantageous optical and electrical features, coupled with remarkable durability under environmental stresses. This research outlines the effective production of non-toxic metal halide nanoparticles of Cs2ZrCl6 using the gradual cooling technique. Thorough examinations have been conducted to explore the structural, optical, and dielectric traits. Over the frequency range of 101-106 Hz, the dielectric constant, loss factor, electric modulus, and electrical conductivity of Cs2ZrCl6 exhibit a strong dependence on temperature. The Nyquist plot confirms the distinct contributions of grains and grain boundaries to the total impedance. In the high-frequency region, the dielectric constant tends to increase with temperature. In accordance with the modified Kohlrausch-Williams-Watts (KWW) equation, an asymmetric nature corresponding to the non-Debye type is observed in the electric modulus spectra at different temperatures. Furthermore, the imaginary part of the electric modulus spectrum shifts from the non-Debye type towards the Debye type with increasing temperature, despite not obtaining an exact Debye response. The frequency-dependent behavior of AC conductivity has been modeled using Joncher's universal law. The conduction mechanism within the Cs2ZrCl6 compound is attributed to the small polaron tunneling model (NSPT). Furthermore, Cs2ZrCl6 has the potential to function as an energy harvesting device due to its elevated dielectric constant combined with minimal dielectric loss.

Morphological, structural, optical and dielectric analysis of Cs2TiBr6 perovskite nanoparticles

In the pursuit of lead-free perovskite materials suitable for harnessing solar energy, a recent discovery has emerged regarding Cs2TiBr6. This compound has garnered attention as a prospective candidate, exhibiting favorable optical and electrical characteristics alongside exceptional resilience when subjected to environmental strains. This study details the successful synthesis of non-hazardous metal halide nanoparticles of Cs2TiBr6via the slow cooling method. Comprehensive investigations into the structural, optical, and dielectric characteristics have been undertaken. The temperature sensitivity of various electrical properties, including the dielectric constant, loss factor, electric modulus, and AC/DC conductivity, is evident in this perovskite material. This phenomenon is observed across a frequency range of 1 to 107 Hz. Furthermore, examination of the Nyquist plot highlights the distinctive contributions of both grain and grain boundaries to the overall impedance characteristics. In the high-frequency range, it is observed that the dielectric constant exhibits an upward trend as the temperature rises. Examination of the adapted Cole-Cole plot unveils that both space charge and free charge conductivity escalate with increasing temperature, while concurrently, the relaxation time experiences a reduction with the temperature's ascent. We observed an asymmetrical pattern in the electric modulus spectra at varying temperatures using a modified Kohlrausch-Williams-Watts equation. This asymmetry is consistent with the inherent non-Debye nature of perovskite materials. Additionally, as the temperature increases, we note a shift in the imaginary component of the electric modulus spectra, transitioning from a non-Debye character towards a semi-Debye nature, though it does not achieve a strictly Debye-type response. This transformation indicates the semiconducting properties of the material. We elucidate the AC conductivity behavior in Cs2TiBr6 by employing the non-overlapping small-polaron tunneling (NSPT) mechanism as the basis. The activation energy, as determined from both the modulus spectra and DC conductivity, aligns closely, providing robust evidence for the congruence between the relaxation dynamics and the conduction mechanism. In addition to these attributes, Cs2TiBr6 exhibits a substantial dielectric constant coupled with negligible dielectric loss, thus establishing its potential suitability for energy harvesting devices.

Lead-free double perovskite Cs2MBiCl6 (M = Ag, Cu): insights into the optical, dielectric, and charge transfer properties

Recently, double perovskites have shown excellent potential considering the instability and toxicity problems of lead halide perovskites in optoelectronic devices. Here, the double perovskites Cs₂MBiCl₆ (M = Ag, Cu) were successfully synthesized via the slow evaporation solution growth technique. The cubic phase of these double perovskite materials was verified through the X-ray diffraction pattern. The investigation of Cs₂CuBiCl₆ and Cs₂AgBiCl₆ utilizing optical analysis showed that their respective indirect band-gap values were 1.31 and 2.92 eV, respectively. These materials, which are double perovskites, were examined using the impedance spectroscopy technique within the 10^-1 to 10⁶ Hz frequency and 300-400 K temperature ranges. Jonncher's power law was utilized to describe AC conductivity. The outcomes of the study on charge transportation in Cs₂MBiCl₆ (where M = Ag, Cu) suggest that the non-overlapping small polaron tunneling mechanism was present in Cs₂CuBiCl₆, whereas the overlapping large polaron tunneling mechanism was present in Cs₂AgBiCl₆.

Strain-mediated electrical and optical properties of novel lead-free CuFe2 O4 -KNbO3 nanocomposite solid solutions: A combined experimental and Density Functional Theory studies

This article summarizes the strain-mediated electrical and optical properties of novel lead-free xCuFe₂ O₄ (1 - x) KNbO₃ (x = 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4) multiferroic nanocomposite through a solid state route. X-ray diffraction analysis divulges the influence of interfacial strain in the KNbO₃ -CuFe₂ O₄ matrix and shows the coexistence of orthorhombic and cubic spinel phases, respectively. Morphological analysis reveals that the average particle size of 0.3CuFe₂ O₄ -0.7KNbO₃ is 25 nm which is smaller than the other two nanocomposites. The UV-visible absorption studies and Raman spectroscopy of 0.3CuFe₂ O₄ -0.7KNbO₃ nanocomposite present the high energy bandgap and electro coupling of KNbO₃ and CuFe₂ O₄ phases. The DFT theoretical bandgap behaviors of all the three nanocomposites synchronize with the experimental bandgap results. Dielectric, ferroelectric and magnetoelectric behaviors are also improved in 0.3CuFe₂ O₄ -0.7KNbO₃ nanocomposite as compared to pristine KNbO₃ and the other two nanocomposites.

Temperature-dependent dielectric properties of CsPb2Br5: a 2D inorganic halide perovskite

Two dimensional (2D) CsPb₂Br₅have been successfully synthesized via the chemical precipitation method. Detailed structural, morphological, optical, and dielectric studies of these materials have been performed. These 2D CsPb₂Br₅plates (of thickness around 200-300 nm) are ascribed to a tetragonal lattice system withI4/mcmspace group. The dielectric attributes such as dielectric constant, electrical modulus, loss factor, and the DC, and AC conductivities, are observed to be varying appreciably with temperature over an extensive frequency window of 10 Hz-50 MHz. The Nyquist plots are investigated using the Maxwell-Wagner equivalent circuit model, which shows the impact of grains and grain boundaries on the overall impedance. Both the free charge conductivity and space charge increase with an increment in temperature, as revealed from the modified Cole-Cole plot. The relaxation time and relaxation mechanism of 2D CsPb₂Br₅are estimated using the Kohlrausch-Williams-Watts equation. Variation in DC conductivity and relaxation time, as a function of temperature, closely resembles Arrhenius' behavior. Value of activation energy calculated from the DC conductivity corroborates with the same derived from relaxation time. The observation of high dielectric constant and nominal dielectric loss for CsPb₂Br₅perovskite offers enormous potential in energy harvesting and storage devices.

Impedance Spectroscopy Analysis of PbSe Nanostructures Deposited by Aerosol Assisted Chemical Vapor Deposition Approach

This research endeavor aimed to synthesize the lead (II) diphenyldiselenophosphinate complex and its use to obtain lead selenide nanostructured depositions and further the impedance spectroscopic analysis of these obtained PbSe nanostructures, to determine their roles in the electronics industry. The aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition technique was used to provide lead selenide deposition by decomposition of the complex at different temperatures using the glass substrates. The obtained films were revealed to be a pure cubic phase PbSe, as confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. SEM and TEM micrographs demonstrated three-dimensionally grown interlocked or aggregated nanocubes of the obtained PbSe. Characteristic dielectric measurements and the impedance spectroscopy analysis at room temperature were executed to evaluate PbSe properties over the frequency range of 100 Hz-5 MHz. The dielectric constant and dielectric loss gave similar trends, along with altering frequency, which was well explained by the Koops theory and Maxwell-Wagner theory. The effective short-range translational carrier hopping gave rise to an overdue remarkable increase in ac conductivity (σac) on the frequency increase. Fitting of a complex impedance plot was carried out with an equivalent circuit model (Rg Cg) (Rgb Qgb Cgb), which proved that grains, as well as grain boundaries, are responsible for the relaxation processes. The asymmetric depressed semicircle with the center lower to the impedance real axis provided a clear explanation of non-Debye dielectric behavior.

Study of charge transfer mechanism and dielectric relaxation of all-inorganic perovskite CsSnCl3

In the field of commercialization, lead-free metal halide perovskite materials are becoming more popular these days because of their prospective use in solar cells and also in other optoelectronic applications. In this paper, a non-toxic CsSnCl₃ metal halide is successfully synthesized via the slow evaporation solution growth technique. Such systematic characterizations as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements, dielectric measurements, and variable-temperature structural analyses indicate that CsSnCl₃ goes through a reversible phase transformation at T = 391/393 K from the monoclinic to the cubic system. Optical measurements of CsSnCl₃ reveal a direct band-gap value of about 3.04 eV. The study of the charge transfer mechanism of CsSnCl₃ is carried out based on Elliott's theory. The conduction mechanism in CsSnCl₃ is interpreted through the following two approaches: the non-overlapping small polaron tunneling (NSPT) model (monoclinic phase) and the overlapping large polaron tunneling (OLPT) model (cubic phase). Moreover, the high dielectric constant of CsSnCl₃ which is associated with a low dielectric loss makes it a possible candidate for energy harvesting devices.

The conduction mechanism in CsSnCl3 is interpreted through the following two approaches: the non-overlapping small polaron tunneling (NSPT) model (monoclinic phase) and the overlapping large polaron tunneling (OLPT) model (cubic phase).

Hydroxylated BiFeO3 as efficient fillers in poly(vinylidene fluoride) for flexible dielectric, ferroelectric, energy storage and mechanical energy harvesting application

Here we report the effect of surface hydroxylation of BiFeO3 fillers on the dielectric, ferroelectric, energy storage and mechanical energy harvesting performance of poly(vinylidene fluoride). Surface hydroxylation helped to improve the interfacial interaction between the filler and PVDF matrix by introducing a strong hydrogen bonding between the -OH group of the hydroxylated BiFeO3 filler surface and the -CF2 dipole of PVDF in place of electrostatic interfacial interaction between non-hydroxylated BiFeO3 and the -CH2 dipole of PVDF. The amount of polar phase increased to around 91% for a 7 wt% hydroxylated BiFeO3 loaded PVDF film (7BFOH) by this new type of interfacial interaction. The dielectric, ferroelectric, energy storage and mechanical energy harvesting performance of the PVDF based composite films also improved by the above said technique. Upon repeated human finger tapping, the 7BFOH film delivered ∼18 V output peak to peak open circuit ac voltage (VOC). After rectification, the VOC of the 7BFOH film was able to charge a 10 μF capacitor up to ∼3 V which was able to light up some LEDs (connected in parallel) together instantaneously, which proved the real life applicability of the composite films in low power consuming self-powered electronic devices.

Nano-ZnO decorated ZnSnO3 as efficient fillers in PVDF matrixes: toward simultaneous enhancement of energy storage density and efficiency and improved energy harvesting activity

Here, we report the effect of ZnO decoration on ZnSnO3 fillers on the dielectric property, energy storage behaviour and mechanical energy harvesting performance of PVDF matrixes. More enhanced dielectric constant and reduction in dielectric loss were achieved in PVDF-ZnO@ZnSnO3 (PVDF-ZNZS) films than in PVDF-ZnSnO3 (PVDF-ZS) films for the same concentration of filler loading. Similarly, PVDF-ZNZS films showed simultaneous enhancement in electrical energy storage density and storage efficiency compared to PVDF-ZS composites. As all the constituent materials (PVDF, ZnSnO3 and ZnO) were piezoelectric, the resulting composite film showed improved piezoelectric energy harvesting performance too. After rectification, the output ac voltage was used to charge a 10 μF capacitor up to ∼5 V dc which was further used to light up some LEDs. Furthermore, in order to exhibit improved sensitive output, a hybrid piezo-tribo nanogenerator was fabricated which was demonstrated as a motion sensor, a weight sensor and a human body movement sensor as part of a real life application.

Enhanced magnetoelectric coupling and dielectric constant in flexible ternary composite electrospun fibers of PVDF-HFP loaded with nanoclay and NiFe2O4 nanoparticles

Magnetoelectric flexible composite fiber mats with superior room temperature magnetoelectric properties.

Role of Ruthenium in the Dielectric, Magnetic Properties of Nickel Ferrite (Ru-NiFe2O4) Nanoparticles and Their Application in Hydrogen Sensors

In this work, Ru-doped nickel ferrites (NiFe₂O₄) were synthesized by a chemical co-precipitation method. Subsequently, they were annealed at different temperatures. The crystallinity of the samples was evaluated using X-ray diffraction and the morphology of the samples was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Dielectric constants and dielectric loss were studied. Ru-doped nickel ferrite samples showed relatively low dielectric constant and loss. Also, the dielectric constant and loss decreased with increasing annealing temperature. Vibrational sample magnetometer analysis shows the hysteresis loop of a soft magnetic nature and the relevant parameters (M _r, M _s and H _c) have low values that confirmed the nature of the material. Subsequently, gas sensors were fabricated to study hydrogen-sensing properties. The gas sensors showed a response to hydrogen gas at a low temperature (100 °C) with selective response in the presence of NH₃ and C₂H₅OH gases. The reasons for electrical, magnetic, and sensing behavior of the samples were discussed in detail.