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Song XJ, Xiong YA, Zhou RJ, Cao XX, Jing ZY, Ji HR, Gu ZX, Sha TT, Xiong RG, You YM. The First Demonstration of Strain-Controlled Periodic Ferroelectric Domains with Superior Piezoelectric Response in Molecular Materials. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2211584. [PMID: 36840984 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202211584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Achieving a periodic domain structure in ferroelectric materials to tailor the macroscopic properties or realize new functions has always been a hot topic. However, methods to construct periodic domain structures, such as epitaxial growth, direct writing by scanning tips, and the patterned electrode method, are difficult or inefficient to implement in emerging molecular ferroelectrics, which have the advantages of lightweight, flexibility, biocompatibility, etc. An efficient method for constructing and controlling periodic domain structures is urgently needed to facilitate the development of molecular ferroelectrics in nanoelectronic devices. In this work, it is demonstrated that large-area, periodic and controllable needle-like domain structures can be achieved in thin films of the molecular ferroelectric trimethylchloromethyl ammonium trichlorocadmium (TMCM-CdCl3 ) upon the application of tensile strain. The domain evolution under various tensile strains can be clearly observed, and such processes are accordingly identified. Furthermore, the domain wall exhibits a superior piezoelectric response, with up to fivefold enhancement compared to that of the pristine samples. Such large-area tunable periodic domain structure and abnormally strong piezoresponse are not only of great interests in fundamental studies, but also highly important in the future applications in functional molecular materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian-Jiang Song
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Science and Applications of Molecular Ferroelectrics, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, P. R. China
- Ordered Matter Science Research Center, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, P. R. China
| | - Yu-An Xiong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Science and Applications of Molecular Ferroelectrics, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, P. R. China
| | - Ru-Jie Zhou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Science and Applications of Molecular Ferroelectrics, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Xing Cao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Science and Applications of Molecular Ferroelectrics, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, P. R. China
| | - Zheng-Yin Jing
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Science and Applications of Molecular Ferroelectrics, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, P. R. China
| | - Hao-Ran Ji
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Science and Applications of Molecular Ferroelectrics, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, P. R. China
| | - Zhu-Xiao Gu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Science and Applications of Molecular Ferroelectrics, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, P. R. China
| | - Tai-Ting Sha
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Science and Applications of Molecular Ferroelectrics, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, P. R. China
| | - Ren-Gen Xiong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Science and Applications of Molecular Ferroelectrics, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, P. R. China
- Ordered Matter Science Research Center, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, P. R. China
| | - Yu-Meng You
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Science and Applications of Molecular Ferroelectrics, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, P. R. China
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Baker JS, Bowler DR. Origin of Ferroelectric Domain Wall Alignment with Surface Trenches in Ultrathin Films. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2021; 127:247601. [PMID: 34951802 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.127.247601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Engraving trenches on the surfaces of ultrathin ferroelectric (FE) films and superlattices promises control over the orientation and direction of FE domain walls (DWs). Through exploiting the phenomenon of DW-surface trench (ST) parallel alignment, systems where DWs are known for becoming electrical conductors could now become useful nanocircuits using only standard lithographical techniques. Despite this clear application, the microscopic mechanism responsible for the alignment phenomenon has remained elusive. Using ultrathin PbTiO_{3} films as a model system, we explore this mechanism with large scale density functional theory simulations on as many as 5,136 atoms. Although we expect multiple contributing factors, we show that parallel DW-ST alignment can be well explained by this configuration giving rise to an arrangement of electric dipole moments which best restore polar continuity to the film. These moments preserve the polar texture of the pristine film, thus minimizing ST-induced depolarizing fields. Given the generality of this mechanism, we suggest that STs could be used to engineer other exotic polar textures in a variety of FE nanostructures as supported by the appearance of ST-induced polar cycloidal modulations in this Letter. Our simulations also support experimental observations of ST-induced negative strains which have been suggested to play a role in the alignment mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack S Baker
- London Centre for Nanotechnology, University College London, 17-19 Gordon St, London WC1H 0AH, United Kingdom
- Department of Physics & Astronomy, University College London, Gower St, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - David R Bowler
- London Centre for Nanotechnology, University College London, 17-19 Gordon St, London WC1H 0AH, United Kingdom
- Department of Physics & Astronomy, University College London, Gower St, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
- International Centre for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA) National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0044, Japan
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Bennett D, Muñoz Basagoiti M, Artacho E. Electrostatics and domains in ferroelectric superlattices. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2020; 7:201270. [PMID: 33391805 PMCID: PMC7735331 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.201270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The electrostatics arising in ferroelectric/dielectric two-dimensional heterostructures and superlattices is revisited within a Kittel model in order to define and complete a clear paradigmatic reference for domain formation. The screening of the depolarizing field in isolated ferroelectric or polar thin films via the formation of 180° domains is well understood, where the width of the domains w grows as the square-root of the film thickness d, following Kittel's Law for thick enough films (w ≪ d). For thinner films, a minimum is reached for w before diverging to a monodomain. Although this behaviour is known to be qualitatively unaltered when the dielectric environment of the film is modified, we consider the quantitative changes in that behaviour induced on the ferroelectric film by different dielectric settings: as deposited on a dielectric substrate, sandwiched between dielectrics, and in a superlattice of alternating ferroelectric/dielectric films. The model assumes infinitely thin domain walls, and therefore is not expected to be reliable for film thickness in the nanometre scale. The polarization field P(r) does vary in space, deviating from ±P S , following the depolarizing field in linear response, but the model does not include a polarization-gradient term as would appear in a Ginzburg-Landau free energy. The model is, however, worth characterizing, both as paradigmatic reference, and as applicable to not-so-thin films. The correct renormalization of parameters is obtained for the thick-film square-root behaviour in the mentioned settings, and the sub-Kittel regime is fully characterized. New results are presented alongside well-known ones for a comprehensive description. Among the former, a natural separation between strong and weak ferroelectric coupling in superlattices is found, which depends exclusively on the dielectric anisotropy of the ferroelectric layer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Bennett
- Theory of Condensed Matter, Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, J J Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK
| | - Maitane Muñoz Basagoiti
- Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country, Barrio Sarriena 48940 Leioa, Spain
- Gulliver Lab UMR 7083, ESPCI PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France
- CIC Nanogune and DIPC, Tolosa Hiribidea 76, 20018 San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Emilio Artacho
- Theory of Condensed Matter, Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, J J Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK
- CIC Nanogune and DIPC, Tolosa Hiribidea 76, 20018 San Sebastian, Spain
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, 48011 Bilbao, Spain
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Lum CY, Lim KG, Chew KH. Rich antiferroelectric phase diagram of antiferroelectric-ferroelectric superlattices: internal electric field- and interface induced phase transitions. JOURNAL OF PHYSICS. CONDENSED MATTER : AN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS JOURNAL 2020; 32:425401. [PMID: 32544898 DOI: 10.1088/1361-648x/ab9d4a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
We propose a thermodynamic model to the study the antiferroelectric (AFE) phase transitions in antiferroelectric-ferroelectric (AFE-FE) superlattices in which the coupling at the interface between two layers is mediated by local polarizations. Phase diagram of the AFE layer in term of the degree of interfacial effectλand temperatureTinvolving ferrielectric (FI) and ferroelectric (FE) phases is investigated. These two phases are stabilized by the interfacial effect and internal electric field. AFE thicknessLAFEversusTphase diagram is also constructed. Intermediate regions of two-phase coexistence (IM) emerge in theλ-TandLAFE-Tphase diagrams, if certain interface propertiesλand layer thicknessLAFEcriteria are met. These IM regions are metastable states, which exist as a transition state between two phases. A tricritical point locates at the boundaries across the FI, IM and FE phases is found in theLAFE-Tphase diagram. Competition among the internal electric field due to the electrostatic coupling, the FE ordering arises from the interfacial effect and the antiferroelectric ordering within the AFE layer giving rises to the rich AFE phase diagram.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Y Lum
- Center for Theoretical and Computational Physics, Department of Physics, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Department of Foundation Studies, RCSI UCD Malaysia Campus, 10450 Penang, Malaysia
| | - K-G Lim
- University of Southampton Malaysia, 79200 Iskandar Puteri, Johor, Malaysia
| | - K-H Chew
- Center for Theoretical and Computational Physics, Department of Physics, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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