Perovskite Electronic Ratchet for Energy Harvesting

Hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite semiconductors (HOIS) have demonstrated great potential as absorbers in thin-film solar cells, but recently there is emerging research demonstrating their application as the electronic materials in transistors, diode, and optoelectronic devices due to their unique mixed ionic-electronic properties. Here we demonstrate a novel energy harvesting application based on both ionic and electronic transport in HOIS — Perovskite electronic ratchets. The electronic ratchet is a new type of energy harvesting device that can convert (rectify) a non-directional electrical signal into stable direct current through an asymmetric potential distribution across the device (i.e., the device acts as a charge pump). Here we demonstrate the first lead-halide perovskite electronic ratchet by manipulating the ion distribution within a transistor channel to realize an asymmetric potential distribution in the perovskite device. This asymmetric potential distribution allows the perovskite ratchet device to convert both electronic noise and unbiased, periodic alternating potentials into stable direct current. Such devices have the potential for providing low-voltage power in remote and portable applications.