Enhanced Ferroelectric and Piezoelectric Properties in Graphene-Electroded Pb(Zr,Ti)O₃ Thin Films

Abstract

While using ferroelectric polarization to tune the functional properties of 2D materials has been extensively studied recently, the effects of 2D materials on the ferroelectricity and piezoelectricity of ferroelectrics are much less explored. In this work, we report markedly enhanced ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of graphene/Pb­(Zr0.52Ti0.48)­O3/SrRuO3 (GR/PZT/SRO) capacitors. Compared with conventional metal-electroded ferroelectric capacitors, the GR/PZT/SRO capacitors exhibit more abrupt polarization switching, larger switchable polarization, lower leakage current, and smaller coercive voltage. Moreover, with graphene electrodes, the ferroelectric properties of PZT capacitors are much more stable against aging. The enhanced ferroelectric behaviors in GR/PZT/SRO capacitors can be attributed to an improved interface with fewer defects and inhibited growth of defective interfacial layer resulting from the graphene protection. Because of the atomic thickness and extraordinary mechanical flexibility of graphene, the piezoelectric response in PZT with graphene electrode is about four times larger than the one with an Au electrode. Our findings on the enhanced ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of PZT with 2D electrodes advance the understanding of the 2D/PZT interface and provide solutions for developing high-performance ferroelectrics devices.

Recent Advances on Pulsed Laser Deposition of Large‐Scale Thin Films

“…published a report in 2022 indicating significant improvements in the ferroelectric and piezoelectric characteristics of capacitors composed of graphene/Pb(Zr 0.52 Ti 0.48 )O 3 /SrRuO 3 (GR/PZT/SRO). [ 135 ] The fabricated capacitors demonstrate superior characteristics in terms of polarization switching, switchable polarization, leakage current, and coercive voltage when compared to traditional metal‐electrode ferroelectric capacitors. [ 136–138 ] The topography image of the pristine PZT/SRO film is depicted in Figure 10d, revealing a comparatively uniform surface with an average roughness of ≈0.39 nm.…”

Design and performance of flexible polymeric piezoelectric energy harvesters for battery-less tyre sensors

“…From the literature described above, the use of a metal electrode does not lead to the best performance of a PEH when applied to a rolling tyre. Extensive investigations have been conducted to find the replacements for flexible electrodes, such as graphenes [26,27], metal nanowires [28,29], conductive inks [29,30]. Appraising among these candidates to be applied for flexible electronics, electrically conductive elastomers are the most promising alternative due to their elastic nature and the ease of mounting into the tyre.…”