Growth and characterization of physical properties of photovoltaic (K,Ba)(Ni,Nb)O3 single crystals

The substitution of fossil energy for green-energy sources is a world demand. Photovoltaic devices are a well-known safety solution to convert solar energy into electricity. Ferroelectric materials are one of the most promising candidates for substituting Si-based compounds in solar-energy conversion devices due to their relatively low cost and bulk photovoltaic effect instead of the classical p-n junction. In this work, (K,Ba)(Nb,Ni)O-3 single crystal was grown by vertical Bridgman-Stockbarger method, and structural, chemical, and optical properties of the as-grown material were characterized. Growth parameters were chosen based on the thermal properties of the precursor oxide and on theoretical models.