The relation of local order to material properties in relaxor ferroelectrics

Revealing the Optimization Route of Piezoelectric Sonosensitizers: From Mechanism to Engineering Methods

Piezoelectric catalysis is a novel catalytic technology that has developed rapidly in recent years and has attracted extensive interest among researchers in the field of tumor therapy for its acoustic-sensitizing properties. Nevertheless, researchers are still controversial about the key technical difficulties in the modulation of piezoelectric sonosensitizers for tumor therapy applications, which is undoubtedly a major obstacle to the performance modulation of piezoelectric sonosensitizers. Clarification of this challenge will be beneficial to the design and optimization of piezoelectric sonosensitizers in the future. Here, the authors start from the mechanism of piezoelectric catalysis and elaborate the mechanism and methods of defect engineering and phase engineering for the performance modulation of piezoelectric sonosensitizers based on the energy band theory. The combined therapeutic strategy of piezoelectric sonosensitizers with enzyme catalysis and immunotherapy is introduced. Finally, the challenges and prospects of piezoelectric sonosensitizers are highlighted. Hopefully, the explorations can guide researchers toward the optimization of piezoelectric sonosensitizers and can be applied in their own research.

Heterogeneous field response of hierarchical polar laminates in relaxor ferroelectrics

Understanding the microscopic origin of the superior electromechanical response in relaxor ferroelectrics requires knowledge not only of the atomic-scale formation of polar nanodomains (PNDs) but also the rules governing the arrangements and stimulated response of PNDs over longer distances. Using x-ray coherent nanodiffraction, we show the staggered self-assembly of PNDs into unidirectional mesostructures that we refer to as polar laminates in the relaxor ferroelectric 0.68PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3-0.32PbTiO3 (PMN-0.32PT). We reveal the highly heterogeneous electric-field-driven responses of intra- and interlaminate PNDs and establish their correlation with the local strain and the nature of the PND walls. Our observations highlight the critical role of hierarchical lattice organizations on macroscopic material properties and provide guiding principles for the understanding and design of relaxors and a wide range of quantum and functional materials.

Origins of the large piezoelectric response of samarium-doped lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate ceramics

The recent discovery of the large piezoelectric response of Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3 (PMN-PT) ceramics induced by samarium doping has provided a substantially improved functionality to the group of lead-based relaxor-ferroelectric materials. Different mechanisms have been so far proposed for the large piezoelectricity; however, the explanations are contradictory and focused on a unified description. Here, we use nonlinear harmonic piezoelectric measurements combined with multiscale structural analysis to clarify the origins of the ultrahigh piezoelectric response of samarium-doped PMN-PT. Our methodological approach allowed us to separate the multiple piezoelectric contributions, revealing their quantitative role in the total response. The results show that the ultrahigh piezoelectricity cannot be attributed to a single mechanism but is rather a complex combination of different contributions originating from the multiple effects of samarium doping on the long- and short-range structure of PMN-PT. The study offers a baseline for future engineering of the key material parameters affecting the large piezoelectric response of relaxor-ferroelectric ceramics.

Phase Transitions and Dynamics in Mixed Three- and Low-Dimensional Lead Halide Perovskites

Lead halide perovskites are extensively investigated as efficient solution-processable materials for photovoltaic applications. The greatest stability and performance of these compounds are achieved by mixing different ions at all three sites of the APbX3 structure. Despite the extensive use of mixed lead halide perovskites in photovoltaic devices, a detailed and systematic understanding of the mixing-induced effects on the structural and dynamic aspects of these materials is still lacking. The goal of this review is to summarize the current state of knowledge on mixing effects on the structural phase transitions, crystal symmetry, cation and lattice dynamics, and phase diagrams of three- and low-dimensional lead halide perovskites. This review analyzes different mixing recipes and ingredients providing a comprehensive picture of mixing effects and their relation to the attractive properties of these materials.

X-ray-induced piezoresponse during X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy of PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3

X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS) holds strong promise for observing atomic-scale dynamics in materials, both at equilibrium and during non-equilibrium transitions. Here an in situ XPCS study of the relaxor ferroelectric PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3 (PMN) is reported. A weak applied AC electric field generates strong response in the speckle of the diffuse scattering from the polar nanodomains, which is captured using the two-time correlation function. Correlated motions of the Bragg peak are also observed, which indicate dynamic tilting of the illuminated volume. This tilting quantitatively accounts for the observed two-time speckle correlations. The magnitude of the tilting would not be expected solely from the modest applied field, since PMN is an electrostrictive material with no linear strain response to the field. A model is developed based on non-uniform static charging of the illuminated surface spot by the incident micrometre-scale X-ray beam and the electrostrictive material response to the combination of static and dynamic fields. The model qualitatively explains the direction and magnitude of the observed tilting, and predicts that X-ray-induced piezoresponse could be an important factor in correctly interpreting results from XPCS and nanodiffraction studies of other insulating materials under applied AC field or varying X-ray illumination.

Critical Insight into Pretransitional Behavior and Dielectric Tunability of Relaxor Ceramics

This model discussion focuses on links between the unique properties of relaxor ceramics and the basics of Critical Phenomena Physics and Glass Transition Physics. It indicates the significance of uniaxiality for the appearance of mean-field type features near the paraelectric-to-ferroelectric phase transition. Pretransitional fluctuations, that are increasing up to the size of a grain and leading to inter-grain, random, local electric fields are responsible for relaxor ceramics characteristics. Their impact yields the pseudospinodal behavior associated with "weakly discontinuous" local phase transitions. The emerging model redefines the meaning of the Burns temperature and polar nanoregions (PNRs). It offers a coherent explanation of "dielectric constant" changes with the "diffused maximum" near the paraelectric-to-ferroelectric transition, the sensitivity to moderate electric fields (tunability), and the "glassy" dynamics. These considerations are challenged by the experimental results of complex dielectric permittivity studies in a Ba0.65Sr0.35TiO3 relaxor ceramic, covering ca. 250 K, from the paraelectric to the "deep" ferroelectric phase. The distortion-sensitive and derivative-based analysis in the paraelectric phase and the surrounding paraelectric-to-ferroelectric transition reveal a preference for the exponential scaling pattern for ε(T) changes. This may suggest that Griffith-phase behavior is associated with mean-field criticality disturbed by random local impacts. The preference for the universalistic "critical & activated" evolution of the primary relaxation time is shown for dynamics. The discussion is supplemented by a coupled energy loss analysis. The electric field-related tunability studies lead to scaling relationships describing their temperature changes.

Electric-field-induced non-ergodic relaxor to ferroelectric transition in BiFeO3-xSrTiO3 ceramics

While BiFeO3-based solid solutions show great promise for applications in energy conversion and storage, realizing this promise necessitates understanding the structure-property relationship in particular pertaining to the relaxor-like characteristics often exhibited by solid solutions with polar-to-non-polar morphotropic phase boundaries. To this end, we investigated the role of the compositionally-driven relaxor state in (100 - x)BiFeO3-xSrTiO3 [BFO-xSTO], via in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction under bipolar electric-field cycling. The electric-field induced changes to the crystal structure, phase fraction and domain textures were monitored via the {111}pc, {200}pc, and 1/2{311}pc Bragg peaks. The dynamics of the intensities and positions of the (111) and (111̄) reflections reveal an initial non-ergodic regime followed by long-range ferroelectric ordering after extended poling cycles. The increased degree of random multi-site occupation in BFO-42STO compared to BFO-35STO is correlated with an increase of the critical electric field needed to induce the non-ergodic-to-ferroelectric transition, and a decrease in the degree of domain reorientation. Although both compositions show an irreversible transition to a long-range ferroelectric state, our results suggest that the weaker ferroelectric response in BFO-42STO is related to an increase in ergodicity. This, in turn, serves to guide the development of BFO-based systems into promising platform for further property engineering towards specific capacitor applications.

Photocarrier-induced persistent structural polarization in soft-lattice lead halide perovskites

The success of the lead halide perovskites in diverse optoelectronics has motivated considerable interest in their fundamental photocarrier dynamics. Here we report the discovery of photocarrier-induced persistent structural polarization and local ferroelectricity in lead halide perovskites. Photoconductance studies of thin-film single-crystal CsPbBr₃ at 10 K reveal long-lasting persistent photoconductance with an ultralong photocarrier lifetime beyond 10⁶ s. X-ray diffraction studies reveal that photocarrier-induced structural polarization is present up to a critical freezing temperature. Photocapacitance studies at cryogenic temperatures further demonstrate a systematic local phase transition from linear dielectric to paraelectric and relaxor ferroelectric under increasing illumination. Our theoretical investigations highlight the critical role of photocarrier-phonon coupling and large polaron formation in driving the local relaxor ferroelectric phase transition. Our findings show that this photocarrier-induced persistent structural polarization enables the formation of ferroelectric nanodomains at low temperature, which suppress carrier recombination and offer the possibility of exploring intriguing carrier-phonon interplay and the rich polaron photophysics.

Emergence of high piezoelectricity from competing local polar order-disorder in relaxor ferroelectrics

Relaxor ferroelectrics are known for outstanding piezoelectric properties, finding a broad range of applications in advanced electromechanical devices. Decoding the origins of the enhanced properties, however, have long been complicated by the heterogeneous local structures. Here, we employ the advanced big-box refinement method by fitting neutron-, X-ray-based total scattering, and X-ray absorption spectrum simultaneously, to extract local atomic polar displacements and construct 3D polar configurations in the classical relaxor ferroelectric Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3. Our results demonstrate that prevailing order-disorder character accompanied by the continuous rotation of local polar displacements commands the composition-driven global structure evolution. The omnidirectional local polar disordering appears as an indication of macroscopic relaxor characteristics. Combined with phase-field simulations, it demonstrates that the competing local polar order-disorder between different states with balanced local polar length and direction randomness leads to a flattening free-energy profile over a wide polar length, thus giving rise to high piezoelectricity. Our work clarifies that the critical structural feature required for high piezoelectricity is the competition states of local polar rather than relaxor.

Multiple Local Symmetries Result in a Common Average Polar Axis in High-Strain BiFeO_{3}-Based Ceramics

For the first time, the origin of large electrostrain in pseudocubic BiFeO_{3}-based ceramics is verified with direct structural evidence backed by appropriate simulations. We employ advanced structural and microstructural characterizations of BiFeO_{3}-based ceramics that exhibit large electrostrain (>0.4%) to reveal the existence of multiple, nanoscale local symmetries, dominantly tetragonal or orthorhombic, which have a common, averaged direction of polarization over larger, meso- or microscale regions. Phase-field simulations confirm the existence of local nanoscale symmetries, thereby providing a new vision for designing high-performance lead-free ceramics for high-strain actuators.

Light-Driven Ultrafast Polarization Manipulation in a Relaxor Ferroelectric

Relaxor ferroelectrics have been intensely studied for decades based on their unique electromechanical responses which arise from local structural heterogeneity involving polar nanoregions or domains. Here, we report first studies of the ultrafast dynamics and reconfigurability of the polarization in freestanding films of the prototypical relaxor 0.68PbMg_1/3Nb_2/3O₃-0.32PbTiO₃ (PMN-0.32PT) by probing its atomic-scale response via femtosecond-resolution, electron-scattering approaches. By combining these structural measurements with dynamic phase-field simulations, we show that femtosecond light pulses drive a change in both the magnitude and direction of the polarization vector within polar nanodomains on few-picosecond time scales. This study defines new opportunities for dynamic reconfigurable control of the polarization in nanoscale relaxor ferroelectrics.

Achieving Giant Piezoelectricity and High Property Uniformity Simultaneously in a Relaxor Ferroelectric Crystal through Rare-Earth Element Doping

The low uniformity in properties of relaxor ferroelectric crystals is a long-standing issue in the ferroelectric community, which limits the available volume of the entire crystal boule. The aim of this study is to develop a relaxor ferroelectric crystal with improved property uniformity and excellent piezoelectricity. To this end, Pb(In1/2 Nb1/2 )O3 -Pb(Mg1/3 Nb2/3 )O3 -PbTiO3 is doped with Nd2 O3 (Nd-PIN-PMN-PT) to improve the crystal performance. Along the crystal boule, the piezoelectric coefficient d33 varies from 2800 to 3500 pC N-1 , and the dielectric constant ranges from 8400 to 9800, with variations of 25% and 16%, respectively. Such high property uniformity results in over 75% available volume of the crystal boule, compared to 30-50% for undoped crystals grown by Bridgman method. At the electric field of 1 kV cm-1 , the converse piezoelectric response is up to 4780 pm V-1 . In addition, its Curie temperature (TC ) and coercive field (EC ) are above 150 °C and 3 kV cm-1 , respectively. Compared with Pb(Mg1/3 Nb2/3 )O3 -PbTiO3 crystal (d33 : 1500 pC N-1 , TC : 135 °C, EC : 2.3 kV cm-1 ), the larger piezoelectricity, the higher TC and EC , and improved uniformity make Nd-PIN-PMN-PT crystals promising candidates for advanced piezoelectric applications.

Deciphering the atomic-scale structural origin for large dynamic electromechanical response in lead-free Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3-based relaxor ferroelectrics

Despite the extraordinary electromechanical properties of relaxor ferroelectrics, correlating their properties to underlying atomic-scale structures remains a decisive challenge for these "mess" systems. Here, taking the lead-free relaxor ferroelectric Bi_0.5Na_0.5TiO₃-based system as an example, we decipher the atomic-scale structure and its relationship to the polar structure evolution and large dynamic electromechanical response, using the direct atomic-scale point-by-point correlation analysis. With judicious chemical modification, we demonstrate the increased defect concentration is the main driving force for deviating polarizations with high-angle walls, leading to the increased random field. Meanwhile, the main driving force for deviating polarizations with low-angle walls changes from the anti-phase oxygen octahedral tilting to the multidirectional A-O displacement, leading to the decreased anisotropy field. Benefiting from the competitive and synergetic equilibrium of anisotropic field versus random field, the facilitated polarization rotation and extension versus facilitated domain switching are identified to be responsible for the giant electromechanical response. These observations lay a foundation for understanding the "composition-structure-property" relationships in relaxor ferroelectric systems, guiding the design of functional materials for electromechanical applications.

Thin-Film Ferroelectrics

Over the last 30 years, the study of ferroelectric oxides has been revolutionized by the implementation of epitaxial-thin-film-based studies, which have driven many advances in the understanding of ferroelectric physics and the realization of novel polar structures and functionalities. New questions have motivated the development of advanced synthesis, characterization, and simulations of epitaxial thin films and, in turn, have provided new insights and applications across the micro-, meso-, and macroscopic length scales. This review traces the evolution of ferroelectric thin-film research through the early days developing understanding of the roles of size and strain on ferroelectrics to the present day, where such understanding is used to create complex hierarchical domain structures, novel polar topologies, and controlled chemical and defect profiles. The extension of epitaxial techniques, coupled with advances in high-throughput simulations, now stands to accelerate the discovery and study of new ferroelectric materials. Coming hand-in-hand with these new materials is new understanding and control of ferroelectric functionalities. Today, researchers are actively working to apply these lessons in a number of applications, including novel memory and logic architectures, as well as a host of energy conversion devices.

Synthesis of a New Ferroelectric Relaxor Based on a Combination of Antiferroelectric and Paraelectric Systems

Relaxor ferroelectric-based energy storage systems are promising candidates for advanced applications as a result of their fast speed and high energy storage density. In the research field of ferroelectrics and relaxor ferroelectrics, the concept of solid solution is widely adopted to modify the overall properties and acquire superior performance. However, the combination between antiferroelectric and paraelectric materials was less studied and discussed. In this study, paraelectric barium hafnate (BaHfO₃) and antiferroelectric lead hafnate (PbHfO₃) are selected to demonstrate such a combination. A paraelectric to relaxor ferroelectric, to ferroelectric, and to antiferroelectric transition is observed by varying the composition x in the (Ba_1-xPb_x)HfO₃ solid solution from 0 to 100%. It is noteworthy that ferroelectric phases can be realized without primal ferroelectric material. This study creates an original solid solution system with a rich spectrum of competing phases and demonstrates an approach to design relaxor ferroelectrics for energy storage applications and beyond.

Engineering the Defects and Microstructures in Ferroelectrics for Enhanced/Novel Properties: An Emerging Way to Cope with Energy Crisis and Environmental Pollution

In the past century, ferroelectrics are well known in electroceramics and microelectronics for their unique ferroelectric, piezoelectric, pyroelectric, and photovoltaic effects. Nowadays, the advances in understanding and tuning of these properties have greatly promoted a broader application potential especially in energy and environmental fields, by harvesting solar, mechanical, and heat energies. For example, high piezoelectricity and high pyroelectricity can be designed by defect or microstructure engineering for piezo- and pyro-catalyst, respectively. Moreover, highly piezoelectric and broadband (UV-Vis-NIR) light-responsive ferroelectrics can be designed via defect engineering, giving rise to a new concept of photoferroelectrics for efficient photocatalysis, piezocatalysis, pyrocatalysis, and related cocatalysis. This article first summarizes the recent developments in ferroelectrics in terms of piezoelectricity, pyroelectricity, and photovoltaic effects based on defect and microstructure engineering. Then, the potential applications in energy generation (i.e., photovoltaic effect, H2 generation, and self-powered multisource energy harvesting and signal sensing) and environmental protection (i.e., photo-piezo-pyro- cocatalytic dye degradation and CO2 reduction) are reviewed. Finally, the outlook and challenges are discussed. This article not only covers an overview of the state-of-art advances of ferroelectrics, but also prospects their applications in coping with energy crisis and environmental pollution.

High Entropy Oxide Relaxor Ferroelectrics

Relaxor ferroelectrics are important in technological applications due to strong electromechanical response, energy storage capacity, electrocaloric effect, and pyroelectric energy conversion properties. Current efforts to discover and design materials in this class generally rely on substitutional doping as slight changes to local compositional order can significantly affect the Curie temperature, morphotropic phase boundary, and electromechanical responses. In this work, we demonstrate that moving to the strong limit of compositional complexity in an ABO₃ perovskite allows stabilization of relaxor responses that do not rely on a single narrow phase transition region. Entropy-assisted synthesis approaches are utilized to synthesize single-crystal Ba(Ti_0.2Sn_0.2Zr_0.2Hf_0.2Nb_0.2)O₃ [Ba(5B)O] films. The high levels of configurational disorder present in this system are found to influence dielectric relaxation, phase transitions, nanopolar domain formation, and Curie temperature. Temperature-dependent dielectric, Raman spectroscopy, and second-harmonic generation measurements reveal multiple phase transitions, a high Curie temperature of 570 K, and the relaxor ferroelectric nature of Ba(5B)O films. The first-principles theory calculations are used to predict possible combinations of cations to design relaxor ferroelectrics and quantify the relative feasibility of synthesizing these highly disordered single-phase perovskite systems. The ability to stabilize single-phase perovskites with various cations on the B-sites offers possibilities for designing high-performance relaxor ferroelectric materials for piezoelectric, pyroelectric, and electrocaloric applications.

Simultaneous Large Optical and Piezoelectric Effects Induced by Domain Reconfiguration Related to Ferroelectric Phase Transitions

Electrical switching of ferroelectric domains and subsequent domain wall motion promotes strong piezoelectric activity, however, light scatters at refractive index discontinuities such as those found at domain wall boundaries. Thus, simultaneously achieving large piezoelectric effect and high optical transmissivity is generally deemed infeasible. Here, it is demonstrated that the ferroelectric domains in perovskite Pb(In_1/2 Nb_1/2 )O₃ -Pb(Mg_1/3 Nb_2/3 )O₃ -PbTiO₃ domain-engineered crystals can be manipulated by electrical field and mechanical stress to reversibly and repeatably, with small hysteresis, transform the opaque polydomain structure into a highly transparent monodomain state. This control of optical properties can be achieved at very low electric fields (less than 1.5 kV cm^-1 ) and is accompanied by a large (>10 000 pm V^-1 ) piezoelectric coefficient that is superior to linear state-of-the-art materials by a factor of three or more. The coexistence of tunable optical transmissivity and high piezoelectricity paves the way for a new class of photonic devices.

Reporting Excellent Transverse Piezoelectric and Electro-Optic Effects in Transparent Rhombohedral PMN-PT Single Crystal by Engineered Domains

Transparent ferroelectric crystals with high piezoelectricity are challenging to build because of their complex structure and disordered domains in rhombohedral relaxor ferroelectrics. There are eight domains along the <111> direction, which cause light scattering. In this study, perfect transparency is achieved along the [110] and [001] directions in [110]-poled rhombohedral 0.72Pb(Mg_1/3 Nb_2/3 )O₃ -0.28PbTiO₃ (PMN-PT) crystals, which have a high d₃₁ value of 1700 pC N^-1 and a high electro-optic coefficient γ₃₃ of 320 pm V^-1 . This implies that the [110]-oriented rhombohedral PMN-0.28PT crystal can realize the mode of transverse modulation, whereas the [001]-oriented PMN-0.28PT crystal is more suitable for the longitudinal mode. Through piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM), it is confirmed that the [110]-poled rhombohedral PMN-PT crystals form 71° layered domains, which are similar to the 109° layered domains of the [001]-oriented transparent crystal. Combined with PFM and birefringence microscopy, the degradation of domains and thickness dependence of piezoelectricity provide clear evidence for the relationship between the engineered domain structures and piezoelectric properties, which should be considered in the design of piezoelectric or electro-optic devices with excellent performance. This work enriches the research on ferroelectric domain engineering for excellent transparency and high piezoelectricity to provide new ideas for photoacoustic devices.

Critical Role of Sc Substitution in Modulating Ferroelectricity in Multiferroic LuFeO3

Understanding how individual dopants or substitutional atoms interact with host lattices enables us to manipulate, control, and improve the functionality of materials. However, because of the intimate coupling among various degrees of freedom in multiferroics, the atomic-scale influence of individual foreign atoms has remained elusive. Here, we unravel the critical roles of individual Sc substitutional atoms in modulating ferroelectricity at the atomic scale of typical multiferroics, Lu_1-xSc_xFeO₃, by combining advanced microscopy and theoretical studies. Atomic variations in polar displacement of intriguing topological vortex domains stabilized by Sc substitution are directly correlated with Sc atom-mediated local chemical and electronic fluctuations. The local FeO₅ trimerization magnitude and Lu/Sc-O hybridization strength are found to be significantly reinforced by Sc, clarifying the origin of the strong dependence of improper ferroelectricity on Sc content. This study could pave the way for correlating dopant-regulated atomic-scale local structures with global properties to engineer emergent functionalities of numerous chemically doped functional materials.

One Site, Two Cations, Three Environments: s2 and s0 Electronic Configurations Generate Pb-Free Relaxor Behavior in a Perovskite Oxide

The piezoelectric devices widespread in society use noncentrosymmetric Pb-based oxides because of their outstanding functional properties. The highest figures of merit reported are for perovskites based on the parent Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃ (PMN), which is a relaxor: a centrosymmetric material with local symmetry breaking that enables functional properties, which resemble those of a noncentrosymmetric material. We present the Pb-free relaxor (K_1/2Bi_1/2)(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃ (KBMN), where the thermal and (di)electric behavior emerges from the discrete structural roles of the s⁰ K⁺ and s² Bi³⁺ cations occupying the same A site in the perovskite structure, as revealed by diffraction methods. This opens a distinctive route to Pb-free piezoelectrics based on relaxor parents, which we demonstrate in a solid solution of KBMN with the Pb-free ferroelectric (K_1/2Bi_1/2)TiO₃, where the structure and function evolve together, revealing a morphotropic phase boundary, as seen in PMN-derived systems. The detailed multiple-length-scale understanding of the functional behavior of KBMN suggests that precise chemical manipulation of the more diverse local displacements in the Pb-free relaxor will enhance performance.

Non-relaxor behaviour of low-frequency vibration spectra of relaxor ferroelectric PbCo1/3Nb2/3O3: evidences from Brillouin and Raman scattering measurements

This paper presents the results of studies of a low-frequency vibration spectrum of PbCo_1/3Nb_2/3O₃ (PCN) relaxor ferroelectric crystal using the Brillouin and Raman light scattering in the temperature range from 80 to 750 K. The analysis of the temperature behaviour of the longitudinal acoustic phonon in Brillouin scattering spectra showed no anomalies in the vicinity of 'diffuse phase transition' (T _m = 250 K) in PCN. Polarized Raman light scattering spectra were obtained in PCN over the entire temperature range studied. Analysis of low-frequency optical mode behaviour in PCN during temperature change also revealed no correlations with dielectric permeability anomaly in the vicinity of T _m: softening of optical phonon at 43 cm^-1 frequency in VV polarization is observed at 170 K. In the same temperature range, there are anomalies (a 'narrow' and weak component) in quasi-elastic light scattering (QELS) obtained in temperature behaviour with VH polarization in Raman spectra in PCN. A 'wide' and intense QELS component, obtained in Raman spectra with VV polarization, shows anomalies in the vicinity of T _m. We associate the anomalies of optical phonons and QELS with structure distortions in the formation of phase stratification and the dynamics of polar nano-regions.

Atomic-resolution electron microscopy of nanoscale local structure in lead-based relaxor ferroelectrics

Relaxor ferroelectrics, which can exhibit exceptional electromechanical coupling, are some of the most important functional materials, with applications ranging from ultrasound imaging to actuators. Since their discovery, their complex nanoscale chemical and structural heterogeneity has made the origins of their electromechanical properties extremely difficult to understand. Here, we employ aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy to quantify various types of nanoscale heterogeneities and their connection to local polarization in the prototypical relaxor ferroelectric system Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃-PbTiO₃. We identify three main contributions that each depend on Ti content: chemical order, oxygen octahedral tilt and oxygen octahedral distortion. These heterogeneities are found to be spatially correlated with low-angle polar domain walls, indicating their role in disrupting long-range polarization and leading to nanoscale domain formation and the relaxor response. We further locate nanoscale regions of monoclinic-like distortion that correlate directly with Ti content and electromechanical performance. Through this approach, the connections between chemical heterogeneity, structural heterogeneity and local polarization are revealed, validating models that are needed to develop the next generation of relaxor ferroelectrics.

Growth mode and strain effect on relaxor ferroelectric domains in epitaxial 0.67Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–0.33PbTiO3/SrRuO3 heterostructures

Controlling the growth of complex relaxor ferroelectric thin films and understanding the relationship between biaxial strain–structural domain characteristics are desirable for designing materials with a high electromechanical response. For this purpose, epitaxial thin films free of extended defects and secondary phases are urgently needed. Here, we used optimized growth parameters and target compositions to obtain epitaxial (40–45 nm) 0.67Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃–0.33PbTiO₃/(20 nm) SrRuO₃ (PMN–33PT/SRO) heterostructures using pulsed-laser deposition (PLD) on singly terminated SrTiO₃ (STO) and ReScO₃ (RSO) substrates with Re = Dy, Tb, Gd, Sm, and Nd. In situ reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED) and high-resolution X-ray diffraction (HR-XRD) analysis confirmed high-quality and single-phase thin films with smooth 2D surfaces. High-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (HR-STEM) revealed sharp interfaces and homogeneous strain further confirming the epitaxial cube-on-cube growth mode of the PMN–33PT/SRO heterostructures. The combined XRD reciprocal space maps (RSMs) and piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) analysis revealed that the domain structure of the PMN–33PT heterostructures is sensitive to the applied compressive strain. From the RSM patterns, an evolution from a butterfly-shaped diffraction pattern for mildly strained PMN–33PT layers, which is evidence of stabilization of relaxor domains, to disc-shaped diffraction patterns for high compressive strains with a highly distorted tetragonal structure, is observed. The PFM amplitude and phase of the PMN–33PT thin films confirmed the relaxor-like for a strain state below ∼1.13%, while for higher compressive strain (∼1.9%) the irregularly shaped and poled ferroelectric domains were observed. Interestingly, the PFM phase hysteresis loops of the PMN–33PT heterostructures grown on the SSO substrates (strain state of ∼0.8%) exhibited an enhanced coercive field which is about two times larger than that of the thin films grown on GSO and NSO substrates. The obtained results show that epitaxial strain engineering could serve as an effective approach for tailoring and enhancing the functional properties in relaxor ferroelectrics.

Strain engineering in epitaxial PMN–33PT films revealed an evolution from a butterfly-shaped diffraction for mildly strained films, evidencing the stabilization of relaxor domains, to disc-shaped diffraction patterns for high compressive strains.

The Effect of Intensity Fluctuations on Sequential X-ray Photon Correlation Spectroscopy at the X-ray Free Electron Laser Facilities

How materials evolve at thermal equilibrium and under external excitations at small length and time scales is crucial to the understanding and control of material properties. X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS) at X-ray free electron laser (XFEL) facilities can in principle capture dynamics of materials that are substantially faster than a millisecond. However, the analysis and interpretation of XPCS data is hindered by the strongly fluctuating X-ray intensity from XFELs. Here we examine the impact of pulse-to-pulse intensity fluctuations on sequential XPCS analysis. We show that the conventional XPCS analysis can still faithfully capture the characteristic time scales, but with substantial decrease in the signal-to-noise ratio of the g2 function and increase in the uncertainties of the extracted time constants. We also demonstrate protocols for improving the signal-to-noise ratio and reducing the uncertainties.

Structural Insight in the Interfacial Effect in Ferroelectric Polymer Nanocomposites

Both experimental results and theoretical models suggest the decisive role of the filler-matrix interfaces on the dielectric, piezoelectric, pyroelectric, and electrocaloric properties of ferroelectric polymer nanocomposites. However, there remains a lack of direct structural evidence to support the so-called interfacial effect in dielectric nanocomposites. Here, a chemical mapping of the interfacial coupling between the nanofiller and the polymer matrix in ferroelectric polymer nanocomposites by combining atomic force microscopy-infrared spectroscopy (AFM-IR) with first-principles calculations and phase-field simulations is provided. The addition of ceramic fillers into a ferroelectric polymer leads to augmentation of the local conformational disorder in the vicinity of the interface, resulting in the local stabilization of the all-trans conformation (i.e., the polar β phase). The formation of highly polar and inhomogeneous interfacial regions, which is further enhanced with a decrease of the filler size, has been identified experimentally and verified by phase-field simulations and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. This work offers unprecedented structural insights into the configurational disorder-induced interfacial effect and will enable rational design and molecular engineering of the filler-matrix interfaces of electroactive polymer nanocomposites to boost their collective properties.

Reversible modification of ultra-broadband luminescence in transparent photonic materials through field-induced nanoscale structural transformation

The development of integrated multifunctional materials with transparent characteristics meets the requirements of optoelectronics and communication. The coupling of stimuli-responsive materials has become a frequently considered strategy. Experimentalists not only search for photonic materials with excellent physical and chemical properties, but also pursue precise and reversible spectral modification. In this study, the luminescent center Ni2+ is artificially introduced into the transparent LiNbO3 nanoferroelectric photonic materials. The Ni2+ ion-based transparent photonic materials exhibit novel complete ultra-broadband emission in the whole near-infrared region. Until now, the ultra-broadband emission was realized by codoping of several active doping ions. In addition, the emission intensity and wavelength of the luminescent center are modified accurately and reversibly by field-induced nanoscale structural transformation. The Ni2+ ion-based transparent nanoferroelectric photonic materials provide an easy way to develop tunable lasers and ultra-broadband optical amplifiers.

Chirality-induced relaxor properties in ferroelectric polymers

Relaxor ferroelectrics exhibit outstanding dielectric, electromechanical and electrocaloric properties, and are the materials of choice for acoustic sensors, solid-state coolers, transducers and actuators^1-4. Despite more than five decades of intensive study, relaxor ferroelectrics remain one of the least understood material families in ferroelectric materials and condensed matter physics^5-14. Here, by combining X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscope infrared spectroscopy and first-principles calculations, we reveal that the relaxor behaviour of ferroelectric polymers originates from conformational disorder, completely different from classic perovskite relaxors, which are typically characterized by chemical disorder. We show that chain chirality is essential to the formation of the disordered helix conformation arising from local distortions of gauche torsional angles, which consequently give rise to relaxor properties in polymers. This study not only sheds light on the fundamental mechanisms of relaxor ferroelectrics, but also offers guidance for the discovery of new ferroelectric relaxor organic materials for flexible, scalable and biocompatible sensor and energy applications.

Theory of relaxor-ferroelectricity

Relaxor-ferroelectrics are fascinating and useful materials, but the mechanism of relaxor-ferroelectricity has been puzzling the scientific community for more than 65 years. Here, a theory of relaxor-ferroelectricity is presented based on 3-dimensional-extended-random-site-Ising-model along with Glauber-dynamics of pseudospins. We propose a new mean-field of pseudospin-strings to solve this kinetic model. The theoretical results show that, with decreasing pseudospin concentration, there are evolutions from normal-ferroelectrics to relaxor-ferroelectrics to paraelectrics, especially indicating by the crossovers from, (a) the sharp to diffuse change at the phase-transition temperature to disappearance in the whole temperature range of order-parameter, and (b) the power-law to Vogel-Fulcher-law to Arrhenius-relation of the average relaxation time. Particularly, the calculated local-order-parameter of the relaxor-ferroelectrics gives the polar-nano-regions appearing far above the diffuse-phase-transition and shows the quasi-fractal characteristic near and below the transition temperature. We also provide a new mechanism of Burns-transformation which stems from not only the polar-nano-regions but also the correlation-function between pseudospins, and put forward a definition of the canonical relaxor-ferroelectrics. The theory accounts for the main facts of relaxor-ferroelectricity, and in addition gives a good quantitative agreement with the experimental results of the order-parameter, specific-heat, high-frequency permittivity, and Burns-transformation of lead magnesium niobate, the canonical relaxor-ferroelectric.

Heterogeneous integration of single-crystalline complex-oxide membranes

Complex-oxide materials exhibit a vast range of functional properties desirable for next-generation electronic, spintronic, magnetoelectric, neuromorphic, and energy conversion storage devices^1-4. Their physical functionalities can be coupled by stacking layers of such materials to create heterostructures and can be further boosted by applying strain^5-7. The predominant method for heterogeneous integration and application of strain has been through heteroepitaxy, which drastically limits the possible material combinations and the ability to integrate complex oxides with mature semiconductor technologies. Moreover, key physical properties of complex-oxide thin films, such as piezoelectricity and magnetostriction, are severely reduced by the substrate clamping effect. Here we demonstrate a universal mechanical exfoliation method of producing freestanding single-crystalline membranes made from a wide range of complex-oxide materials including perovskite, spinel and garnet crystal structures with varying crystallographic orientations. In addition, we create artificial heterostructures and hybridize their physical properties by directly stacking such freestanding membranes with different crystal structures and orientations, which is not possible using conventional methods. Our results establish a platform for stacking and coupling three-dimensional structures, akin to two-dimensional material-based heterostructures, for enhancing device functionalities^8,9.

K-space algorithmic reconstruction (KAREN): a robust statistical methodology to separate Bragg and diffuse scattering

Diffuse scattering occurring in the Bragg diffraction pattern of a long-range-ordered structure represents local deviation from the governing regular lattice. However, interpreting the real-space structure from the diffraction pattern presents a significant challenge because of the dramatic difference in intensity between the Bragg and diffuse components of the total scattering function. In contrast to the sharp Bragg diffraction, the diffuse signal has generally been considered to be a weak expansive or continuous background signal. Herein, using 1D and 2D models, it is demonstrated that diffuse scattering in fact consists of a complex array of high-frequency features that must not be averaged into a low-frequency background signal. To evaluate the actual diffuse scattering effectively, an algorithm has been developed that uses robust statistics and traditional signal processing techniques to identify Bragg peaks as signal outliers which can be removed from the overall scattering data and then replaced by statistically valid fill values. This method, described as a `K-space algorithmic reconstruction' (KAREN), can identify Bragg reflections independent of prior knowledge of a system's unit cell. KAREN does not alter any data other than that in the immediate vicinity of the Bragg reflections, and reconstructs the diffuse component surrounding the Bragg peaks without introducing discontinuities which induce Fourier ripples or artifacts from underfilling `punched' voids. The KAREN algorithm for reconstructing diffuse scattering provides demonstrably better resolution than can be obtained from previously described punch-and-fill methods. The superior structural resolution obtained using the KAREN method is demonstrated by evaluating the complex ordered diffuse scattering observed from the neutron diffraction of a single plastic crystal of CBr4 using pair distribution function analysis.

Mechanical-Induced Polarization Switching in Relaxor Ferroelectric Single Crystals

Control of coupling between electric and elastic orders in ferroelectric bulks is vital to understand their nature and enrich the multifunctionality of polarization manipulation applied in domain-based electronic devices such as ferroelectric memories and data storage ones. Herein, taking (1 - x%)Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃-x%PbTiO₃ (PMN-x%PT, x = 32, 40) as the prototype, we demonstrate the less-explored mechanical switching in relaxor ferroelectric single crystals using scanning probe microscopy. Low mechanical forces can induce metastable and electrically erasable polarization reversal clearly from electrical-created bipolar domains around the 180° domain wall in monoclinic PMN-32%PT and inside the c+ domain in tetragonal PMN-40%PT. The mechanical switching evolutions show force/time dependence and time-force equivalence. The time-dependent mechanical switching behavior stems from the participation and contribution of polar nanoregions. Flexoelectricity and bulk Vegard strain effect can account for the mechanical switching but notably, the former in the two has very different origins. These investigations exhibit the possibility of mechanical switching as a tool to manipulate polarization states in ferroelectric bulks, and provide the potential of these crystals as substrates in mechanical polarization control of future thin-film devices.

Local atomic order and hierarchical polar nanoregions in a classical relaxor ferroelectric

The development of useful structure-function relationships for materials that exhibit correlated nanoscale disorder requires adequately large atomistic models which today are obtained mainly via theoretical simulations. Here, we exploit our recent advances in structure-refinement methodology to demonstrate how such models can be derived directly from simultaneous fitting of 3D diffuse- and total-scattering data, and we use this approach to elucidate the complex nanoscale atomic correlations in the classical relaxor ferroelectric PbMg_1/3Nb_2/3O₃ (PMN). Our results uncover details of ordering of Mg and Nb and reveal a hierarchical structure of polar nanoregions associated with the Pb and Nb displacements. The magnitudes of these displacements and their alignment vary smoothly across the nanoregion boundaries. No spatial correlations were found between the chemical ordering and the polar nanoregions. This work highlights a broadly applicable nanoscale structure-refinement method and provides insights into the structure of PMN that require rethinking its existing contentious models.

The understanding of relaxor ferroelectrics is hindered by the complexity of nanoscale perturbations of their structure. Here, a data set of independent techniques treated on common footing provides a multiscale description of atomic order which reconciles conflicting models derived from single methods.

Epitaxial Strain Control of Relaxor Ferroelectric Phase Evolution

Understanding and ultimately controlling the large electromechanical effects in relaxor ferroelectrics requires intimate knowledge of how the local-polar order evolves under applied stimuli. Here, the biaxial-strain-induced evolution of and correlations between polar structures and properties in epitaxial films of the prototypical relaxor ferroelectric 0.68PbMg_1/3 Nb_2/3 O₃ -0.32PbTiO₃ are investigated. X-ray diffuse-scattering studies reveal an evolution from a butterfly- to disc-shaped pattern and an increase in the correlation-length from ≈8 to ≈25 nm with increasing compressive strain. Molecular-dynamics simulations reveal the origin of the changes in the diffuse-scattering patterns and that strain induces polarization rotation and the merging of the polar order. As the magnitude of the strain is increased, relaxor behavior is gradually suppressed but is not fully quenched. Analysis of the dynamic evolution of dipole alignment in the simulations reveals that, while, for most unit-cell chemistries and configurations, strain drives a tendency toward more ferroelectric-like order, there are certain unit cells that become more disordered under strain, resulting in stronger competition between ordered and disordered regions and enhanced overall susceptibilities. Ultimately, this implies that deterministic creation of specific local chemical configurations could be an effective way to enhance relaxor performance.

Doubling up piezoelectric performance

Trace amounts of samarium greatly improve materials used in sonar and ultrasound imaging

Giant piezoelectricity of Sm-doped Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3 single crystals

High-performance piezoelectrics benefit transducers and sensors in a variety of electromechanical applications. The materials with the highest piezoelectric charge coefficients (d ₃₃) are relaxor-PbTiO₃ crystals, which were discovered two decades ago. We successfully grew Sm-doped Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃-PbTiO₃ (Sm-PMN-PT) single crystals with even higher d ₃₃ values ranging from 3400 to 4100 picocoulombs per newton, with variation below 20% over the as-grown crystal boule, exhibiting good property uniformity. We characterized the Sm-PMN-PT on the atomic scale with scanning transmission electron microscopy and made first-principles calculations to determine that the giant piezoelectric properties arise from the enhanced local structural heterogeneity introduced by Sm³⁺ dopants. Rare-earth doping is thus identified as a general strategy for introducing local structural heterogeneity in order to enhance the piezoelectricity of relaxor ferroelectric crystals.

Controllable anisotropic characteristics in solid solution ferroelectrics

Controllable anisotropic properties by adjusting the anisotropic composition gradients in KTN single crystals.