Supramolecular systems hold great potential as ferroelectric materials because they are easy to prepare and do not require toxic and environmentally damaging elements. However, directing the self-assembly process of a supramolecular array to yield polarizable solids is still challenging. Here, we describe induced ferroelectricity in a supramolecular framework of metal-organic cages that are supported by a flexible tripodal ligand (NHCH 2-(3-Py)) 3 PO (TPPA). Ferroelectric responses on the discrete cage [Cu 6 (H 2 O) 12 (TPPA) 8 ](NO 3) 12 • 45H 2 O (1) and its 2D-connected framework [{Cu 6 Cl 4 (H 2 O) 6 (TPPA) 8 }(NO 3) 8 • 60H 2 O] n (2) yielded well-resolved rectangular hysteresis loops at room temperature with remnant polarization values of 27.27 and 29.09 μC/cm 2 , respectively. Thermal hysteresis measurements (THM) and capacitance-voltage (CÀ V) plots further corroborate the ferroelectric behavior in these compounds. The polarization in them is due to the displacements of solvated molecules and nitrate ions in the pockets of these frameworks.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.