Photocontrolled Strain in Polycrystalline Ferroelectrics via Domain Engineering Strategy

Abstract

The use of photonic concepts to achieve nanoactuation based on light triggering requires complex architectures to obtain the desired effect. In this context, the recent discovery of reversible optical control of the domain configuration in ferroelectrics offers a light-ferroic interplay that can be easily controlled. To date, however, the optical control of ferroelectric domains has been explored in single crystals, although polycrystals are technologically more desirable because they can be manufactured in a scalable and reproducible fashion. Here we report experimental evidence for a large photostrain response in polycrystalline BaTiO 3 that is comparable to their electrostrain values. Domains engineering is performed through grain size control, thereby evidencing that charged domain walls appear to be the functional interfaces for the light-driven domain switching. The findings shed light on the design of high-performance photoactuators based on ferroelectric ceramics, providing a feasible alternative to conventional voltage-driven nanoactuators.

Filterless Visible‐Range Color Sensing and Wavelength‐Selective Photodetection Based on Barium/Nickel Codoped Bandgap‐Engineered Potassium Sodium Niobate Ferroelectric Ceramics

“…Such a chaos could be explained by the fact that incident light, regardless of the photon energy being above or below the bandgap of the material, is able to reorient ferroelectric domains. [15,26,41,42] The photoexcited/stimulated domain wall motion made the ε r values in Figure 2a to be predominantly affected by the domain reorientation, wherein to what extent was hard to predict under different illuminations for such a polycrystalline, multidomain material and hence resulting in no visible trend.…”

Growth of tungsten bronze phase out of niobate perovskite phase for opto‐ferroelectric applications

“…7,8 The photo-assisted domain switching may also be used in optoelectrical dual-source actuators for remote and precise control of micromachines and medical operations. 3,9,10 Meanwhile, the intrinsic spontaneous polarization is believed to be able to assist the separation of photo-excited charge carriers. 11 This offers possibilities to develop either standalone ferroelectric solar cells free from electron-and hole-transporters or an additional layer in conventional semiconductor solar cells to help reduce the recombination and improve the photovoltaic energy conversion efficiency.…”

“…This provides opportunities to use light as a virtual gate in ferroelectric field‐effect transistors and thus to develop non‐volatile memories and artificial synapses for neuromorphic computing with writing/reading functions by light 7,8 . The photo‐assisted domain switching may also be used in optoelectrical dual‐source actuators for remote and precise control of micromachines and medical operations 3,9,10 . Meanwhile, the intrinsic spontaneous polarization is believed to be able to assist the separation of photo‐excited charge carriers 11 .…”

Light-driven motion of charged domain walls in isolated ferroelectrics

“…Although convincing experimental findings have pointed out that the photo-induced ferroelectric domain rearrangement is primary linked to strong charged domain walls (CDWs) [17,19], the physical origin of this manifestation of light-matter coupling remains unclear so far. It was postulated, but not formally developed, the charge accumulation at CDWs leads to a modification of the energy bands in the BTO, creating an asymmetric saw-teeth potential known to produce the so-called ratchet effect [16,18].…”