Photoresponse of ferroelectric BaTiO3 thin films

Abstract

BaTiO3 is a lead-free ferroelectric oxide material. BaTiO3 thin films have been widely studied for memory applications due to its charge memory effect resulting from its ferroelectric nature. Nowadays, the scientific community has renewed its interest on BaTiO3, because it holds characteristics that is interesting for rapidly developing areas such as photovoltaics, photoelectric sensing and photocatalysis. The main goal of the present thesis is to study the photoelectric effects on BaTiO3 thin films and to give light on the relevant mechanisms that control them. Ferroelectric materials show intrinsic, unavoidable and exclusive internal electric fields: imprint electric field (Eimp) and depolarization electric field (Edep). Thus distinct photoelectric effects can be obtained due to Eimp and Edep. In the present thesis we have studied in detail the role of Eimp and Edep on photoelectric effects of BaTiO3 films. In particular, it is shown that appropriate measurement configuration can be used to disclose and isolate their contribution. As a result, different transient and constant photoresponses can be obtained as wish. By the same token, their contribution to the ferroelectric switching dynamics are also analyzed. The transient photoresponse finds its origin on the screening of surface charge (photoscreening). In order to modulate its magnitude detailed characterization has been performed. It is concluded that the polarization photoscreening is governed by the presence of water adsorbed at the surface, allowing it to be controlled. However, the photoelectric efficiency has been found to be limited by the low generation of carriers by light, that is the reason why the effect of O substituted by N in BaTiO3 lattice, which should result in band-gap narrowing, hence improving the photoelectric efficiency, has been studied. Interestingly, it is found that ammonia treatments are efficient to improve photoelectric responses, without having any clear evidence of N substitution.

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Date of Award	24 Jul 2017
Original language	English
Supervisor	Ignasi Fina Martinez (Director)