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Torre MF, Amadeo A, Cassone G, Tommasini M, Mráziková K, Saija F. Water Dimer under Electric Fields: An Ab Initio Investigation up to Quantum Accuracy. J Phys Chem A 2024; 128:5490-5499. [PMID: 38976361 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.4c01553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
It is well-established that strong electric fields (EFs) can align water dipoles, partially order the H-bond network of liquid water, and induce water splitting and proton transfers. To illuminate the fundamental behavior of water under external EFs, we present the first benchmark, to the best of our knowledge, of DFT calculations of the water dimer exposed to intense EFs against coupled cluster calculations. The analyses of the vibrational Stark effect and electron density provide a consistent picture of the intermolecular charge transfer effects driven along the H-bond by the increasing applied field at all theory levels. However, our findings prove that at extreme field regimes (∼1-2 V/Å) DFT calculations significantly exaggerate by ∼10-30% the field-induced strengthening of the H-bond, both within the GGA, hybrid GGA, and hybrid meta-GGA approximations. Notably, a linear correlation emerges between the vibrational Stark effect on OH stretching and H-bond strengthening: a 1 kcal mol-1 increase corresponds to an 80 cm-1 red-shift in OH stretching frequency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Francesco Torre
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Science, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Alessandro Amadeo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Science, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cassone
- Institute for Chemical-Physical Processes, National Research Council of Italy (IPCF-CNR), 98158 Messina, Italy
| | - Matteo Tommasini
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Materiali e Ing. Chimica "G. Natta", Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Klaudia Mráziková
- J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Dolejškova 3, 18223 Prague, Czechia
| | - Franz Saija
- Institute for Chemical-Physical Processes, National Research Council of Italy (IPCF-CNR), 98158 Messina, Italy
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2
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Wang J, Fan W, Cheng SD, Wang S, Jiang Y, Li G, Ju M, Shen B, Chen B, Dou Z, Gong W, Yao FZ, Wang K. Multiscale Structural Engineering Boosts Piezoelectricity in Na 0.5Bi 2.5Nb 2O 9-Based High-Temperature Piezoceramics. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:19150-19157. [PMID: 38563649 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c00629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
High-temperature piezoelectric materials, which enable the accurate and reliable sensing of physical parameters to guarantee the functional operation of various systems under harsh conditions, are highly demanded. To this end, both large piezoelectricity and high Curie temperature are pivotal figures of merit (FOMs) for high-temperature piezoceramics. Unfortunately, despite intensive pursuits, it remains a formidable challenge to unravel the inverse correlation between these FOMs. Herein, a conceptual material paradigm of multiscale structural engineering was proposed to address this dilemma. The synergistic effects of phase structure reminiscent of a polymorphic phase boundary and refined domain morphology simultaneously contribute to a large piezoelectric coefficient d33 of 30.3 pC/N and a high Curie temperature TC of 740 °C in (LiCeNd) codoped Na0.5Bi2.5Nb2O9 (NBN-LCN) ceramics. More encouragingly, the system has exceptional thermal stability and is nonsusceptible to mechanical loading. This study not only demonstrates that the high-performance and robust NBN-LCN high-temperature piezoceramics hold great potential for implements under harsh conditions but also opens an avenue for integrating antagonistic properties for the enhancement of the collective performance in functional materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Wang
- Department of Stomatology, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Beijing 100035, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenying Fan
- Research Center for Advanced Functional Ceramics, Wuzhen Laboratory, Jiaxing 314500, China
| | - Shao-Dong Cheng
- School of Microelectronics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Shidong Wang
- Musculoskeletal Tumor Center Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, PR China
| | - Yuqi Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of New Ceramics and Fine Processing, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Geng Li
- State Key Laboratory of New Ceramics and Fine Processing, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Min Ju
- Research Center for Advanced Functional Ceramics, Wuzhen Laboratory, Jiaxing 314500, China
| | - Binglin Shen
- Research Center for Advanced Functional Ceramics, Wuzhen Laboratory, Jiaxing 314500, China
| | - Binjie Chen
- Research Center for Advanced Functional Ceramics, Wuzhen Laboratory, Jiaxing 314500, China
| | - Zhongshang Dou
- Research Center for Advanced Functional Ceramics, Wuzhen Laboratory, Jiaxing 314500, China
| | - Wen Gong
- Tongxiang Tsingfeng Technology Co. Ltd, Jiaxing, Zhejiang 314501, China
| | - Fang-Zhou Yao
- Research Center for Advanced Functional Ceramics, Wuzhen Laboratory, Jiaxing 314500, China
- Center of Advanced Ceramic Materials and Devices, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Zhejiang 314006, China
| | - Ke Wang
- Research Center for Advanced Functional Ceramics, Wuzhen Laboratory, Jiaxing 314500, China
- State Key Laboratory of New Ceramics and Fine Processing, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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3
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Cassone G, Martelli F. Electrofreezing of liquid water at ambient conditions. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1856. [PMID: 38424051 PMCID: PMC10904787 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46131-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Water is routinely exposed to external electric fields. Whether, for example, at physiological conditions, in contact with biological systems, or at the interface of polar surfaces in countless technological settings, water responds to fields on the order of a few V Å-1 in a manner that is under intense investigation. Dating back to the 19th century, the possibility of solidifying water upon applying electric fields - a process known as electrofreezing - is an alluring promise that has canalized major efforts since, with uncertain outcomes. Here, we perform long (up to 500 ps per field strength) ab initio molecular dynamics simulations of water at ambient conditions under external electric fields. We show that fields of 0.10 - 0.15 V Å-1 induce electrofreezing to a ferroelectric amorphous phase which we term f-GW (ferroelectric glassy water). The transition occurs after ~ 150 ps for a field of 0.15 V Å-1 and after ~ 200 ps for a field of 0.10 V Å-1 and is signaled by a structural and dynamic arrest and the suppression of the fluctuations of the hydrogen bond network. Our work reports evidence of electrofreezing of bulk liquid water at ambient conditions and therefore impacts several fields, from fundamental chemical physics to biology and catalysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Cassone
- Institute for Chemical-Physical Processes, National Research Council, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 37, Messina, 98158, Italy.
| | - Fausto Martelli
- IBM Research Europe, Keckwik Lane, Daresbury, WA4 4AD, UK.
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
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4
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Alikin D, Safina V, Abramov A, Slautin B, Shur V, Pavlenko A, Kholkin A. Defining ferroelectric characteristics with reversible piezoresponse: PUND switching spectroscopy PFM characterization. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 35:175702. [PMID: 38181439 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/ad1b97] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
Detecting ferroelectricity at micro- and nanoscales is crucial for advanced nanomaterials and materials with complicated topography. Switching spectroscopy piezoresponse force microscopy (SSPFM), which involves measuring piezoelectric hysteresis loops via a scanning probe microscopy tip, is a widely accepted approach to characterize polarization reversal at the local scale and confirm ferroelectricity. However, the local hysteresis loops acquired through this method often exhibit unpredictable shapes, a phenomenon often attributed to the influence of parasitic factors such as electrostatic forces and current flow. Our research has uncovered that the deviation in hysteresis loop shapes can be caused by spontaneous backswitching occurring after polarization reversal. Moreover, we've determined that the extent of this effect can be exacerbated when employing inappropriate SSPFM waveform parameters, including duration, frequency, and AC voltage amplitude. Notably, the conventional 'pulse-mode' SSPFM method has been found to intensify spontaneous backswitching. In response to these challenges, we have redesigned SSPFM approach by introducing the positive up-negative down (PUND) method within the 'step-mode' SSPFM. This modification allows for effective probing of local piezoelectric hysteresis loops in ferroelectrics with reversible piezoresponse while removing undesirable electrostatic contribution. This advancement extends the applicability of the technique to a diverse range of ferroelectrics, including semiconductor ferroelectrics and relaxors, promising a more reliable and accurate characterization of their properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Alikin
- School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia
| | - Violetta Safina
- School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia
| | - Alexander Abramov
- School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia
| | - Boris Slautin
- School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia
| | - Vladimir Shur
- School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia
| | - Anatoly Pavlenko
- Southern Scientific Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Rostov-on-Don, Russia
| | - Andrei Kholkin
- School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia
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5
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Conti Nibali V, Maiti S, Saija F, Heyden M, Cassone G. Electric-field induced entropic effects in liquid water. J Chem Phys 2023; 158:2889002. [PMID: 37154276 DOI: 10.1063/5.0139460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Externally applied electric fields in liquid water can induce a plethora of effects with wide implications in electrochemistry and hydrogen-based technologies. Although some effort has been made to elucidate the thermodynamics associated with the application of electric fields in aqueous systems, to the best of our knowledge, field-induced effects on the total and local entropy of bulk water have never been presented so far. Here, we report on classical TIP4P/2005 and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations measuring entropic contributions carried by diverse field intensities in liquid water at room temperature. We find that strong fields are capable of aligning large fractions of molecular dipoles. Nevertheless, the order-maker action of the field leads to quite modest entropy reductions in classical simulations. Albeit more significant variations are recorded during first-principles simulations, the associated entropy modifications are small compared to the entropy change involved in the freezing phenomenon, even at intense fields slightly beneath the molecular dissociation threshold. This finding further corroborates the idea that electrofreezing (i.e., the electric-field-induced crystallization) cannot take place in bulk water at room temperature. In addition, here, we propose a molecular-dynamics-based analysis (3D-2PT) that spatially resolves the local entropy and the number density of bulk water under an electric field, which enables us to map their field-induced changes in the environment of reference H2O molecules. By returning detailed spatial maps of the local order, the proposed approach is capable of establishing a link between entropic and structural modifications with atomistic resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Conti Nibali
- Department of Mathematical and Computer Sciences, Physical Sciences and Earth Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
- Institute for Chemical-Physical Processes, National Research Council of Italy (IPCF-CNR), 98158 Messina, Italy
| | - Sthitadhi Maiti
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, USA
| | - Franz Saija
- Institute for Chemical-Physical Processes, National Research Council of Italy (IPCF-CNR), 98158 Messina, Italy
| | - Matthias Heyden
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, USA
| | - Giuseppe Cassone
- Institute for Chemical-Physical Processes, National Research Council of Italy (IPCF-CNR), 98158 Messina, Italy
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6
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Karna NK, Wohlert J, Hjorth A, Theliander H. Capillary forces exerted by a water bridge on cellulose nanocrystals: the effect of an external electric field. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023; 25:6326-6332. [PMID: 36779301 DOI: 10.1039/d2cp05563e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Capillary forces play an important role during the dewatering and drying of nanocellulosic materials. Traditional moisture removal techniques, such as heating, have been proved to be deterimental to the properties of these materials and hence, there is a need to develop novel dewatering techniques without affecting the desired properties of materials. It is, therefore, important to explore novel methods for dewatering these high-added-value materials without negatively influencing their properties. In this context, we explore the effect of electric field on the capillary forces developed by a liquid-water bridge between two cellulosic surfaces, which may be formed during the water removal process following its displacement from the interfibrillar spaces. All-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been used to study the influence of an externally applied electric field on the capillary force exerted by a water bridge. Our results suggest that the equilibrium contact angle of water and the capillary force exerted by the water bridge between two nanocellulosic surfaces depend on the magnitude and direction of the externally applied electric fields. Hence, an external electric field can be applied to manipulate the capillary forces between two particles. The close agreement between the capillary forces measured through MD simulations and those calculated through classical equations indicates that, within the range of the electric field applied in this study, Young-Laplace equations can be safely employed to predict the capillary forces between two particles. The present study provides insights into the use of electric fields for drying of nanocellulosic materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabin Kumar Karna
- Chalmers University of Technology, Chalmersplatsen-4, Sweden. .,Wallenberg Wood Science Center, The Royal Institute of Technology, Chalmers University of Technology and Linköping University, SE-10044 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jakob Wohlert
- Wallenberg Wood Science Center, The Royal Institute of Technology, Chalmers University of Technology and Linköping University, SE-10044 Stockholm, Sweden.,KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Hjorth
- Chalmers University of Technology, Chalmersplatsen-4, Sweden. .,Wallenberg Wood Science Center, The Royal Institute of Technology, Chalmers University of Technology and Linköping University, SE-10044 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hans Theliander
- Chalmers University of Technology, Chalmersplatsen-4, Sweden.
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7
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Alikin D, Abramov A, Turygin A, Ievlev A, Pryakhina V, Karpinsky D, Hu Q, Jin L, Shur V, Tselev A, Kholkin A. Exploring Charged Defects in Ferroelectrics by the Switching Spectroscopy Piezoresponse Force Microscopy. SMALL METHODS 2022; 6:e2101289. [PMID: 34967150 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202101289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Monitoring the charged defect concentration at the nanoscale is of critical importance for both the fundamental science and applications of ferroelectrics. However, up-to-date, high-resolution study methods for the investigation of structural defects, such as transmission electron microscopy, X-ray tomography, etc., are expensive and demand complicated sample preparation. With an example of the lanthanum-doped bismuth ferrite ceramics, a novel method is proposed based on the switching spectroscopy piezoresponse force microscopy (SSPFM) that allows probing the electric potential from buried subsurface charged defects in the ferroelectric materials with a nanometer-scale spatial resolution. When compared with the composition-sensitive methods, such as neutron diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and local time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry, the SSPFM sensitivity to the variation of the electric potential from the charged defects is shown to be equivalent to less than 0.3 at% of the defect concentration. Additionally, the possibility to locally evaluate dynamics of the polarization screening caused by the charged defects is demonstrated, which is of significant interest for further understanding defect-mediated processes in ferroelectrics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Alikin
- School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, 620000, Russia
| | - Alexander Abramov
- School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, 620000, Russia
| | - Anton Turygin
- School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, 620000, Russia
| | - Anton Ievlev
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37830, USA
| | - Victoria Pryakhina
- School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, 620000, Russia
| | - Dmitry Karpinsky
- Scientific-Practical Materials Research Centre of NAS of Belarus, Minsk, 220072, Belarus
| | - Qingyuan Hu
- Electronic Materials Research Laboratory, Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education & International Center for Dielectric Research, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Li Jin
- Electronic Materials Research Laboratory, Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education & International Center for Dielectric Research, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Vladimir Shur
- School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, 620000, Russia
| | - Alexander Tselev
- Department of Physics & CICECO, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Andrei Kholkin
- School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, 620000, Russia
- Department of Physics & CICECO, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
- Piezo- and Magnetoelectric Materials Research & Development Centre, Research School of Chemistry & Applied Biomedical Sciences, National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, Tomsk, 634050, Russia
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8
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Zhang F, Williams KN, Edwards D, Naden AB, Yao Y, Neumayer SM, Kumar A, Rodriguez BJ, Bassiri-Gharb N. Maximizing Information: A Machine Learning Approach for Analysis of Complex Nanoscale Electromechanical Behavior in Defect-Rich PZT Films. SMALL METHODS 2021; 5:e2100552. [PMID: 34928037 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202100552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM) based techniques probe material properties over microscale regions with nanoscale resolution, ultimately resulting in investigation of mesoscale functionalities. Among SPM techniques, piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) is a highly effective tool in exploring polarization switching in ferroelectric materials. However, its signal is also sensitive to sample-dependent electrostatic and chemo-electromechanical changes. Literature reports have often concentrated on the evaluation of the Off-field piezoresponse, compared to On-field piezoresponse, based on the latter's increased sensitivity to non-ferroelectric contributions. Using machine learning approaches incorporating both Off- and On-field piezoresponse response as well as Off-field resonance frequency to maximize information, switching piezoresponse in a defect-rich Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 thin film is investigated. As expected, one major contributor to the piezoresponse is mostly ferroelectric, coupled with electrostatic phenomena during On-field measurements. A second component is electrostatic in nature, while a third component is likely due to a superposition of multiple non-ferroelectric processes. The proposed approach will enable deeper understanding of switching phenomena in weakly ferroelectric samples and materials with large chemo-electromechanical response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengyuan Zhang
- School of Physics, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, D04 V1W8, Ireland
- Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, D04 V1W8, Ireland
| | - Kerisha N Williams
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332-0405, USA
| | - David Edwards
- School of Physics, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, D04 V1W8, Ireland
- Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, D04 V1W8, Ireland
| | - Aaron B Naden
- University of St Andrews School of Chemistry, Purdie Building, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9ST, United Kingdom
| | - Yulian Yao
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332-0405, USA
| | - Sabine M Neumayer
- School of Physics, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, D04 V1W8, Ireland
- Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, D04 V1W8, Ireland
| | - Amit Kumar
- Centre for Nanostructured Media, School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT7 1NN, United Kingdom
| | - Brian J Rodriguez
- School of Physics, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, D04 V1W8, Ireland
- Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, D04 V1W8, Ireland
| | - Nazanin Bassiri-Gharb
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332-0405, USA
- G.W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332-0405, USA
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9
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Zeng Q, Huang Q, Wang H, Li C, Fan Z, Chen D, Cheng Y, Zeng K. Breaking the Fundamental Limitations of Nanoscale Ferroelectric Characterization: Non-Contact Heterodyne Electrostrain Force Microscopy. SMALL METHODS 2021; 5:e2100639. [PMID: 34927968 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202100639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Perceiving nanoscale ferroelectric phenomena from real space is of great importance for elucidating underlying ferroelectric physics. During the past decades, nanoscale ferroelectric characterization has mainly relied on the Piezoresponse Force Microscopy (PFM) invented in 1992, however, the fundamental limitations of PFM have made the nanoscale ferroelectric studies encounter significant bottlenecks. In this study, a high-resolution non-contact ferroelectric measurement, named Non-Contact Heterodyne Electrostrain Force Microscopy (NC-HEsFM), is introduced. It is demonstrated that NC-HEsFM can operate on multiple eigenmodes to perform ideal high-resolution ferroelectric domain mapping, standard ferroelectric hysteresis loop measurement, and controllable domain manipulation. By using a quartz tuning fork (QTF) sensor, multi-frequency operation, and heterodyne detection schemes, NC-HEsFM achieves a real non-contact yet non-destructive ferroelectric characterization with negligible electrostatic force effect and hence breaks the fundamental limitations of the conventional PFM. It is believed that NC-HEsFM can be extensively used in various ferroelectric or piezoelectric studies with providing substantially improved characterization performance. Meanwhile, the QTF-based force detection makes NC-HEsFM highly compatible for high-vacuum and low-temperature environments, providing ideal conditions for investigating the intrinsic ferroelectric phenomena with the possibility of achieving an atomically resolved ferroelectric characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qibin Zeng
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117576, Singapore
| | - Qicheng Huang
- Institute for Advanced Materials, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Hongli Wang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117576, Singapore
- The Key Lab of Guangdong for Modern Surface Engineering Technology, National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Materials Surface Engineering Technology, Institute of New Materials, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650, China
| | - Caiwen Li
- Institute for Advanced Materials, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Information Materials and Technology, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Zhen Fan
- Institute for Advanced Materials, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Deyang Chen
- Institute for Advanced Materials, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Information Materials and Technology, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yuan Cheng
- Institute of High-Performance Computing, Agency for Science Technology and Research, Singapore, 138632, Singapore
- Monash Suzhou Research Institute, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Kaiyang Zeng
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117576, Singapore
- NUS (Suzhou) Research Institute (NUSRI), Suzhou, 215123, China
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10
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Badur S, Renz D, Cronau M, Göddenhenrich T, Dietzel D, Roling B, Schirmeisen A. Characterization of Vegard strain related to exceptionally fast Cu-chemical diffusion in Cu[Formula: see text]Mo[Formula: see text]S[Formula: see text] by an advanced electrochemical strain microscopy method. Sci Rep 2021; 11:18133. [PMID: 34518556 PMCID: PMC8438055 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-96602-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Electrochemical strain microscopy (ESM) has been developed with the aim of measuring Vegard strains in mixed ionic-electronic conductors (MIECs), such as electrode materials for Li-ion batteries, caused by local changes in the chemical composition. In this technique, a voltage-biased AFM tip is used in contact resonance mode. However, extracting quantitative strain information from ESM experiments is highly challenging due to the complexity of the signal generation process. In particular, electrostatic interactions between tip and sample contribute significantly to the measured ESM signals, and the separation of Vegard strain-induced signal contributions from electrostatically induced signal contributions is by no means a trivial task. Recently, we have published a compensation method for eliminating frequency-independent electrostatic contributions in ESM measurements. Here, we demonstrate the potential of this method for detecting Vegard strain in MIECs by choosing Cu[Formula: see text]Mo[Formula: see text]S[Formula: see text] as a model-type MIEC with an exceptionally high Cu chemical diffusion coefficient. Even for this material, Vegard strains are only measurable around and above room-temperature and with proper elimination of electrostatics. The analyis of the measured Vegards strains gives strong indication that due to a high charge transfer resistance at the tip/interface, the local Cu concentration variations are much smaller than predicted by the local Nernst equation. This suggests that charge transfer resistances have to be analyzed in more detail in future ESM studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Badur
- Institute of Applied Physics, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Diemo Renz
- Department of Chemistry, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Straße 4, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Marvin Cronau
- Department of Chemistry, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Straße 4, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Göddenhenrich
- Institute of Applied Physics, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Dirk Dietzel
- Institute of Applied Physics, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
- Center for Materials Research, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Bernhard Roling
- Department of Chemistry, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Straße 4, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - André Schirmeisen
- Institute of Applied Physics, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
- Center for Materials Research, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
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11
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Schön N, Schierholz R, Jesse S, Yu S, Eichel RA, Balke N, Hausen F. Signal Origin of Electrochemical Strain Microscopy and Link to Local Chemical Distribution in Solid State Electrolytes. SMALL METHODS 2021; 5:e2001279. [PMID: 34928092 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202001279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Electrochemical strain microscopy (ESM) is a distinguished method to characterize Li-ion mobility in energy materials with extremely high spatial resolution. The exact origin of the cantilever deflection when the technique is applied on solid state electrolytes (SSEs) is currently discussed in the literature. Understanding local properties and influences on ion mobility in SSEs is of utmost importance to improve such materials for next generation batteries. Here, the exact signal formation process of ESM when applied on sodium super ionic conductor (NASICON)-type SSE containing Na- and Li-ions is investigated. Changes in the dielectric properties, which are linked to the local chemical composition, are found to be responsible for the observed contrast in the deflection of the cantilever instead of a physical volume change as a result of Vegard´s Law. The cantilever response is strongly reduced in areas of high sodium content which is attributed to a reduction of the tip-sample capacitance in comparison to areas with high lithium content. This is the first time a direct link between electrostatic forces in contact mode and local chemical information is demonstrated on SSEs. The results open up new possibilities in information gain since dielectric properties are sensitive to subtle changes in local chemical composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nino Schön
- Forschungszentrum Jülich, Institute of Energy and Climate Research-Fundamental Electrochemistry, IEK-9, 52428, Jülich, Germany
- RWTH Aachen University, Institute of Physical Chemistry, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Roland Schierholz
- Forschungszentrum Jülich, Institute of Energy and Climate Research-Fundamental Electrochemistry, IEK-9, 52428, Jülich, Germany
| | - Stephen Jesse
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37830, USA
| | - Shicheng Yu
- Forschungszentrum Jülich, Institute of Energy and Climate Research-Fundamental Electrochemistry, IEK-9, 52428, Jülich, Germany
| | - Rüdiger-A Eichel
- Forschungszentrum Jülich, Institute of Energy and Climate Research-Fundamental Electrochemistry, IEK-9, 52428, Jülich, Germany
- RWTH Aachen University, Institute of Physical Chemistry, 52074, Aachen, Germany
- Jülich Aachen Research Alliance, Section: JARA-Energy, Wilhelm-Johnen-Strasse, 52425, Jülich, Germany
| | - Nina Balke
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37830, USA
| | - Florian Hausen
- Forschungszentrum Jülich, Institute of Energy and Climate Research-Fundamental Electrochemistry, IEK-9, 52428, Jülich, Germany
- RWTH Aachen University, Institute of Physical Chemistry, 52074, Aachen, Germany
- Jülich Aachen Research Alliance, Section: JARA-Energy, Wilhelm-Johnen-Strasse, 52425, Jülich, Germany
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12
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Zeng Q, Wang H, Xiong Z, Huang Q, Lu W, Sun K, Fan Z, Zeng K. Nanoscale Ferroelectric Characterization with Heterodyne Megasonic Piezoresponse Force Microscopy. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:2003993. [PMID: 33898182 PMCID: PMC8061351 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202003993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 01/10/2021] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM), as a powerful nanoscale characterization technique, has been extensively utilized to elucidate diverse underlying physics of ferroelectricity. However, intensive studies of conventional PFM have revealed a growing number of concerns and limitations which are largely challenging its validity and applications. In this study, an advanced PFM technique is reported, namely heterodyne megasonic piezoresponse force microscopy (HM-PFM), which uses 106 to 108 Hz high-frequency excitation and heterodyne method to measure the piezoelectric strain at nanoscale. It is found that HM-PFM can unambiguously provide standard ferroelectric domain and hysteresis loop measurements, and an effective domain characterization with excitation frequency up to ≈110 MHz is demonstrated. Most importantly, owing to the high-frequency and heterodyne scheme, the contributions from both electrostatic force and electrochemical strain can be significantly minimized in HM-PFM. Furthermore, a special measurement of difference-frequency piezoresponse frequency spectrum (DFPFS) is developed on HM-PFM and a distinct DFPFS characteristic is observed on the materials with piezoelectricity. By performing DFPFS measurement, a truly existed but very weak electromechanical coupling in CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite is revealed. It is believed that HM-PFM can be an excellent candidate for the ferroelectric or piezoelectric studies where conventional PFM results are highly controversial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qibin Zeng
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringNational University of SingaporeSingapore117576Singapore
| | - Hongli Wang
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringNational University of SingaporeSingapore117576Singapore
- The Key Lab of Guangdong for Modern Surface Engineering TechnologyNational Engineering Laboratory for Modern Materials Surface Engineering TechnologyInstitute of New Materials, Guangdong Academy of ScienceGuangzhou510650China
| | - Zhuang Xiong
- MOE Key Laboratory of Low‐Grade Energy Utilization Technologies and Systems, School of Energy & Power EngineeringChongqing UniversityChongqing400044China
| | - Qicheng Huang
- Institute for Advanced Materials, South China Academy of Advanced OptoelectronicsSouth China Normal UniversityGuangzhou510006China
| | - Wanheng Lu
- Department of Electrical and Computer EngineeringNational University of SingaporeSingapore117583Singapore
| | - Kuan Sun
- MOE Key Laboratory of Low‐Grade Energy Utilization Technologies and Systems, School of Energy & Power EngineeringChongqing UniversityChongqing400044China
| | - Zhen Fan
- Institute for Advanced Materials, South China Academy of Advanced OptoelectronicsSouth China Normal UniversityGuangzhou510006China
| | - Kaiyang Zeng
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringNational University of SingaporeSingapore117576Singapore
- NUS (Suzhou) Research Institute (NUSRI)Suzhou215123China
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13
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Mollica Nardo V, Cassone G, Ponterio RC, Saija F, Sponer J, Tommasini M, Trusso S. Electric-Field-Induced Effects on the Dipole Moment and Vibrational Modes of the Centrosymmetric Indigo Molecule. J Phys Chem A 2020; 124:10856-10869. [PMID: 33306380 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.0c09791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Intense static electric fields can strongly perturb chemical bonds and induce frequency shifts of the molecular vibrations in the so-called vibrational Stark effect. Based on a density functional theory (DFT) approach, here, we report a detailed investigation of the influence of oriented external electric fields (OEEFs) on the dipole moment and infrared (IR) spectrum of the nonpolar centrosymmetric indigo molecule. When an OEEF as intense as ∼0.1 V Å-1 is applied, several modifications in the IR spectrum are observed. Besides the notable frequency shift of some modes, we observe the onset of new bands-forbidden by the selection rules in the zero-field case. Such a neat field-induced modification of the vibrational selection rules, and the subsequent variations of the peaks' intensities in the IR spectrum, paves the way toward the design of smart tools employing centrosymmetric molecules as proxies for mapping local electric fields. In fact, here, we show that the ratio between the IR and the Raman intensities of selected modes is proportional to the square of the local field. This indicator can be used to quantitatively measure local fields, not only in condensed matter systems under standard conditions but also in field-emitting-tip apparatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Mollica Nardo
- IPCF-CNR, Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 37, 98158 Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cassone
- IPCF-CNR, Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 37, 98158 Messina, Italy
| | - Rosina Celeste Ponterio
- IPCF-CNR, Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 37, 98158 Messina, Italy
| | - Franz Saija
- IPCF-CNR, Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 37, 98158 Messina, Italy
| | - Jiri Sponer
- Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Královopolská 135, 61265 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Matteo Tommasini
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Materiali e Ing. Chimica "G. Natta", Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 32, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Trusso
- IPCF-CNR, Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 37, 98158 Messina, Italy
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14
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Cassone G. Nuclear Quantum Effects Largely Influence Molecular Dissociation and Proton Transfer in Liquid Water under an Electric Field. J Phys Chem Lett 2020; 11:8983-8988. [PMID: 33035059 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.0c02581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Proton transfer in liquid water controls acid-base chemistry, crucial enzyme reactions, and the functioning of fuel cells. Externally applied static electric fields in water are capable of dissociating molecules and transferring protons across the H-bond network. However, the impact of nuclear quantum effects (NQEs) on these fundamental field-induced phenomena has not yet been reported. By comparing state-of-the-art ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) and path integral AIMD simulations of water under electric fields, I show that quantum delocalization of the proton lowers the molecular ionization threshold to approximately one-third. Moreover, also the water behavior as a protonic semiconductor is considerably modified by the inclusion of NQEs. In fact, when the quantum nature of the nuclei is taken into account, the proton conductivity is ∼50% larger. This work proves that NQEs sizably affect the protolysis phenomenon and proton transfer in room-temperature liquid water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Cassone
- Institute for Chemical-Physical Processes, National Research Council, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 37, 98158 Messina, Italy
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15
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Kwon O, Seol D, Qiao H, Kim Y. Recent Progress in the Nanoscale Evaluation of Piezoelectric and Ferroelectric Properties via Scanning Probe Microscopy. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2020; 7:1901391. [PMID: 32995111 PMCID: PMC7507502 DOI: 10.1002/advs.201901391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Piezoelectric and ferroelectric materials have garnered significant interest owing to their excellent physical properties and multiple potential applications. Accordingly, the need for evaluating piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties has also increased. The piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties are evaluated macroscopically using laser interferometers and polarization-electric field loop measurements. However, as the research focus is shifted from bulk to nanosized materials, scanning probe microscopy (SPM) techniques have been suggested as an alternative approach for evaluating piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties. In this Progress Report, the recent progress on the nanoscale evaluation of piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties of diverse materials using SPM-based methods is summarized. Among the SPM techniques, the focus is on recent studies that are related to piezoresponse force microscopy and conductive atomic force microscopy; further, the utilization of these two modes to understand piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties at the nanoscale level is discussed. This work can provide guidelines for evaluating the piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties of materials based on SPM techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Owoong Kwon
- School of Advanced Materials and Engineering & Research Center for Advanced Materials TechnologySungkyunkwan University (SKKU)Suwon16419Republic of Korea
| | - Daehee Seol
- School of Advanced Materials and Engineering & Research Center for Advanced Materials TechnologySungkyunkwan University (SKKU)Suwon16419Republic of Korea
| | - Huimin Qiao
- School of Advanced Materials and Engineering & Research Center for Advanced Materials TechnologySungkyunkwan University (SKKU)Suwon16419Republic of Korea
| | - Yunseok Kim
- School of Advanced Materials and Engineering & Research Center for Advanced Materials TechnologySungkyunkwan University (SKKU)Suwon16419Republic of Korea
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16
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Neumayer SM, Brehm JA, Tao L, O'Hara A, Ganesh P, Jesse S, Susner MA, McGuire MA, Pantelides ST, Maksymovych P, Balke N. Local Strain and Polarization Mapping in Ferrielectric Materials. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:38546-38553. [PMID: 32805973 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c09246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
CuInP2S6 (CIPS) is a van der Waals material that has attracted attention because of its unusual properties. Recently, a combination of density functional theory (DFT) calculations and piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) showed that CIPS is a uniaxial quadruple-well ferrielectric featuring two polar phases and a total of four polarization states that can be controlled by external strain. Here, we combine DFT and PFM to investigate the stress-dependent piezoelectric properties of CIPS, which have so far remained unexplored. The two different polarization phases are predicted to differ in their mechanical properties and the stress sensitivity of their piezoelectric constants. This knowledge is applied to the interpretation of ferroelectric domain images, which enables investigation of local strain and stress distributions. The interplay of theory and experiment produces polarization maps and layer spacings which we compare to macroscopic X-ray measurements. We found that the sample contains only the low-polarization phase and that domains of one polarization orientation are strained, whereas domains of the opposite polarization direction are fully relaxed. The described nanoscale imaging methodology is applicable to any material for which the relationship between electromechanical and mechanical characteristics is known, providing insight on structural, mechanical, and electromechanical properties down to ∼10 nm length scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine M Neumayer
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, 37831 Tennessee, United States
| | - John A Brehm
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, 37235 Tennessee, United States
| | - Lei Tao
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, 37235 Tennessee, United States
- Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Andrew O'Hara
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, 37235 Tennessee, United States
| | - Panchapakesan Ganesh
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, 37831 Tennessee, United States
| | - Stephen Jesse
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, 37831 Tennessee, United States
| | - Michael A Susner
- Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, 45433 Ohio, United States
| | - Michael A McGuire
- Materials Science and Technology Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, 37831 Tennessee, United States
| | - Sokrates T Pantelides
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, 37235 Tennessee, United States
| | - Petro Maksymovych
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, 37831 Tennessee, United States
| | - Nina Balke
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, 37831 Tennessee, United States
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17
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Correlative Confocal Raman and Scanning Probe Microscopy in the Ionically Active Particles of LiMn 2O 4 Cathodes. MATERIALS 2019; 12:ma12091416. [PMID: 31052308 PMCID: PMC6539315 DOI: 10.3390/ma12091416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
In this contribution, a correlative confocal Raman and scanning probe microscopy approach was implemented to find a relation between the composition, lithiation state, and functional electrochemical response in individual micro-scale particles of a LiMn2O4 spinel in a commercial Li battery cathode. Electrochemical strain microscopy (ESM) was implemented both at a low-frequency (3.5 kHz) and in a high-frequency range of excitation (above 400 kHz). It was shown that the high-frequency ESM has a significant cross-talk with topography due to a tip-sample electrostatic interaction, while the low-frequency ESM yields a response correlated with distributions of Li ions and electrochemically inactive phases revealed by the confocal Raman microscopy. Parasitic contributions into the electromechanical response from the local Joule heating and flexoelectric effect were considered as well and found to be negligible. It was concluded that the low-frequency ESM response directly corresponds to the confocal Raman microscopy data. The analysis implemented in this work is an important step towards the quantitative measurement of diffusion coefficients and ion concentration via strain-based scanning probe microscopy methods in a wide range of ionically active materials.
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18
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Cassone G, Pietrucci F, Saija F, Saitta AM. Free Energy Calculations of Electric Field-Induced Chemistry. COMPUTATIONAL APPROACHES FOR CHEMISTRY UNDER EXTREME CONDITIONS 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-05600-1_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
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19
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Neumayer SM, Collins L, Vasudevan R, Smith C, Somnath S, Shur VY, Jesse S, Kholkin AL, Kalinin SV, Rodriguez BJ. Decoupling Mesoscale Functional Response in PLZT across the Ferroelectric-Relaxor Phase Transition with Contact Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy and Machine Learning. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2018; 10:42674-42680. [PMID: 30457324 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.8b15872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Relaxor ferroelectrics exhibit a range of interesting material behavior, including high electromechanical response, polarization rotations, as well as temperature and electric field-driven phase transitions. The origin of this unusual functional behavior remains elusive due to limited knowledge on polarization dynamics at the nanoscale. Piezoresponse force microscopy and associated switching spectroscopy provide access to local electromechanical properties on the micro- and nanoscale, which can help to address some of these gaps in our knowledge. However, these techniques are inherently prone to artefacts caused by signal contributions emanating from electrostatic interactions between tip and sample. Understanding functional behavior of complex, disordered systems like relaxor materials with unknown electromechanical properties therefore requires a technique that allows distinguishing between electromechanical and electrostatic response. Here, contact Kelvin probe force microscopy (cKPFM) is used to gain insight into the evolution of local electromechanical and capacitive properties of a representative relaxor material lead lanthanum zirconate across the phase transition from a ferroelectric to relaxor state. The obtained multidimensional data set was processed using an unsupervised machine learning algorithm to detect variations in functional response across the probed area and temperature range. Further analysis showed the formation of two separate cKPFM response bands below 50 °C, providing evidence for polarization switching. At higher temperatures only one band is observed, indicating an electrostatic origin of the measured response. In addition, the junction potential difference, which was extracted from the cKPFM data, becomes independent of the temperature in the relaxor state. The combination of this multidimensional voltage spectroscopy technique and machine learning allows to identify the origin of the measured functional response and to decouple ferroelectric from electrostatic phenomena necessary to understand the functional behavior of complex, disordered systems like relaxor materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine M Neumayer
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences , Oak Ridge National Laboratory , 1 Bethel Valley Road , Oak Ridge , Tennessee 37831 , United States
- School of Physics , University College Dublin , Belfield 4 , Dublin 4 , Ireland
| | - Liam Collins
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences , Oak Ridge National Laboratory , 1 Bethel Valley Road , Oak Ridge , Tennessee 37831 , United States
| | - Rama Vasudevan
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences , Oak Ridge National Laboratory , 1 Bethel Valley Road , Oak Ridge , Tennessee 37831 , United States
| | - Christopher Smith
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences , Oak Ridge National Laboratory , 1 Bethel Valley Road , Oak Ridge , Tennessee 37831 , United States
| | - Suhas Somnath
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences , Oak Ridge National Laboratory , 1 Bethel Valley Road , Oak Ridge , Tennessee 37831 , United States
| | - Vladimir Ya Shur
- School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics , Ural Federal University , 620000 Ekaterinburg , Russia
| | - Stephen Jesse
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences , Oak Ridge National Laboratory , 1 Bethel Valley Road , Oak Ridge , Tennessee 37831 , United States
| | - Andrei L Kholkin
- School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics , Ural Federal University , 620000 Ekaterinburg , Russia
- Department of Physics , CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials , 3810-193 Aveiro , Portugal
| | - Sergei V Kalinin
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences , Oak Ridge National Laboratory , 1 Bethel Valley Road , Oak Ridge , Tennessee 37831 , United States
| | - Brian J Rodriguez
- School of Physics , University College Dublin , Belfield 4 , Dublin 4 , Ireland
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20
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Collins L, Kilpatrick JI, Kalinin SV, Rodriguez BJ. Towards nanoscale electrical measurements in liquid by advanced KPFM techniques: a review. REPORTS ON PROGRESS IN PHYSICS. PHYSICAL SOCIETY (GREAT BRITAIN) 2018; 81:086101. [PMID: 29990308 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6633/aab560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Fundamental mechanisms of energy storage, corrosion, sensing, and multiple biological functionalities are directly coupled to electrical processes and ionic dynamics at solid-liquid interfaces. In many cases, these processes are spatially inhomogeneous taking place at grain boundaries, step edges, point defects, ion channels, etc and possess complex time and voltage dependent dynamics. This necessitates time-resolved and real-space probing of these phenomena. In this review, we discuss the applications of force-sensitive voltage modulated scanning probe microscopy (SPM) for probing electrical phenomena at solid-liquid interfaces. We first describe the working principles behind electrostatic and Kelvin probe force microscopies (EFM & KPFM) at the gas-solid interface, review the state of the art in advanced KPFM methods and developments to (i) overcome limitations of classical KPFM, (ii) expand the information accessible from KPFM, and (iii) extend KPFM operation to liquid environments. We briefly discuss the theoretical framework of electrical double layer (EDL) forces and dynamics, the implications and breakdown of classical EDL models for highly charged interfaces or under high ion concentrations, and describe recent modifications of the classical EDL theory relevant for understanding nanoscale electrical measurements at the solid-liquid interface. We further review the latest achievements in mapping surface charge, dielectric constants, and electrodynamic and electrochemical processes in liquids. Finally, we outline the key challenges and opportunities that exist in the field of nanoscale electrical measurements in liquid as well as providing a roadmap for the future development of liquid KPFM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liam Collins
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, United States of America. Institute for Functional Imaging of Materials, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, United States of America
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21
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Alikin DO, Romanyuk KN, Slautin BN, Rosato D, Shur VY, Kholkin AL. Quantitative characterization of the ionic mobility and concentration in Li-battery cathodes via low frequency electrochemical strain microscopy. NANOSCALE 2018; 10:2503-2511. [PMID: 29344595 DOI: 10.1039/c7nr08001h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Electrochemical strain microscopy (ESM) can provide useful information on the ionic processes in materials at the local scale. This is especially important for ever growing applications of Li-batteries whose performance is limited by the intrinsic and extrinsic degradation. However, the ESM method used so far has been only qualitative due to multiple contributions to the apparent ESM signal. In this work, we provide a viable approach for the local probing of ionic concentration and diffusion coefficients based on the frequency dependence of the ESM signal. A theoretical basis considering the dynamic behavior of ion migration and relaxation and change of ion concentration profiles under the action of the electric field of the ESM tip is developed. We argue that several parasitic contributions to the ESM signal discussed in the literature can be thus eliminated. The analysis of ESM images using the proposed approach allows a quantitative mapping of the ionic diffusion coefficients and concentration in ionic conductors. The results are validated on Li-battery cathodes (LiMn2O4) extracted from commercial Li-batteries and can provide novel possibilities for their development and further insight into the mechanisms of their degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- D O Alikin
- School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Ural Federal University, 620000 Ekaterinburg, Russia
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22
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Kurnia F, Cheung J, Cheng X, Sullaphen J, Kalinin SV, Valanoor N, Vasudevan RK. Nanoscale Probing of Elastic-Electronic Response to Vacancy Motion in NiO Nanocrystals. ACS NANO 2017; 11:8387-8394. [PMID: 28742320 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.7b03826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Measuring the diffusion of ions and vacancies at nanometer length scales is crucial to understanding fundamental mechanisms driving technologies as diverse as batteries, fuel cells, and memristors; yet such measurements remain extremely challenging. Here, we employ a multimodal scanning probe microscopy (SPM) technique to explore the interplay between electronic, elastic, and ionic processes via first-order reversal curve I-V measurements in conjunction with electrochemical strain microscopy (ESM). The technique is employed to investigate the diffusion of oxygen vacancies in model epitaxial nickel oxide (NiO) nanocrystals with resistive switching characteristics. Results indicate that opening of the ESM hysteresis loop is strongly correlated with changes to the resonant frequency, hinting that elastic changes stem from the motion of oxygen (or cation) vacancies in the probed volume of the SPM tip. These changes are further correlated to the current measured on each nanostructure, which shows a hysteresis loop opening at larger (∼2.5 V) voltage windows, suggesting the threshold field for vacancy migration. This study highlights the utility of local multimodal SPM in determining functional and chemical changes in nanoscale volumes in nanostructured NiO, with potential use to explore a wide variety of materials including phase-change memories and memristive devices in combination with site-correlated chemical imaging tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fran Kurnia
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales , Sydney 2052, Australia
| | - Jeffrey Cheung
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales , Sydney 2052, Australia
| | - Xuan Cheng
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales , Sydney 2052, Australia
| | - Jivika Sullaphen
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales , Sydney 2052, Australia
| | - Sergei V Kalinin
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory , Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Nagarajan Valanoor
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales , Sydney 2052, Australia
| | - Rama K Vasudevan
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory , Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
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Abstract
Methanol, the simplest alcohol, and dimethyl ether, the simplest ether, are central compounds in the search for alternative “green” combustion fuels. In fact, they are generally considered as the cornerstones of the envisaged “Methanol Economy” scenario, as they are able to efficiently produce energy in an environmentally friendly manner. However, despite a massive amount of research in this field, the synthesis of dimethyl ether from liquid methanol has never so far been reported. Here we present a computational study, based on ab initio Molecular Dynamics, which suggests a novel synthesis route to methanol dehydration – leading thus to the dimethyl ether synthesis – through the application of strong electric fields. Besides proving the impressive catalytic effects afforded by the field, our calculations indicate that the obtained dimethyl ether is stable and that it can be progressively accumulated thanks to the peculiar chemical pathways characterising the methanol reaction network under electric field. These results suggest that the experimental synthesis of dimethyl ether from liquid methanol could be achieved, possibly in the proximity of field emitter tips.
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