Uniaxial Strain-Controlled Ferroelastic Domain Evolution in BiFeO₃

Abstract

We investigate the effect of variable uniaxial tensile strain on the evolution of 71° ferroelastic domains in (001)-oriented epitaxial BiFeO (BFO) thin films using piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM). For this purpose, a newly designed bending stage has been employed, which allows tensile bending as wells as in situ PFM characterization. In situ PFM imaging reveals polarization-strain correlations at the nanoscale. Specifically, ferroelastic domains with in-plane polarization along the direction of applied tensile strain expand, whereas the adjoining domains with orthogonal in-plane polarization contract. The switching is mediated by significant domain wall roughening and opposite displacement of the successive walls. Further, the domains with long-range order are more susceptible to an applied external mechanical stimulus compared to the domains, which exhibit short-range periodicity. In addition, the imprint state of film reverses direction under applied tensile strain. Finally, the strain-induced changes in the domain structure and wall motion are fully reversible and revert to their as-grown state upon release of the applied stress. The strain-induced non-180° polarization rotation constitutes a route to control connected functionalities, such as magnetism, via coupled in-plane rotation of the magnetic plane in multiferroic BFO thin films.

Highly Robust Flexible Ferroelectric Field Effect Transistors Operable at High Temperature with Low‐Power Consumption

“…No significant change in P‐E loops measured under a series of bending radii ( R = +∞, 10, 8, 6, 4 mm) is observed, suggesting that the mica/CFO/SRO/PZT/Pt capacitor is stable with bending radius as small as 4 mm. No obvious change in domain structure is observed under bending either, as shown in Figure S4 in the Supporting Information, though different observation has also been reported in literature . Furthermore, cyclic bending test with a bending radius of 6 mm was carried out for 500 cycles, resulting in no appreciable degradation in its ferroelectricity as shown in Figure e.…”

Recent advances in bismuth ferrite nanomaterials: Synthesis, characterization and application

“…6 : PFM amplitude images acquired at 0% (a) and 1.2% (b) mechanical tensile strain 73 ;The surface morphology (c) before and (d) after it was scanned by the PFM tip with 3325 nN mechanical force 75 Through recent views most the mechanical properties of BiFeO3 obtain for film nanosizes. In our previous works investigate the mechanical impact in uniaxial tensile stress scope on microcrystals multiplexing wall movement on BFO thin films 73,74 . The stress-induced transduction kinetics continues through a complex interaction of perturbation potentials, field wall motion, and nucleation and growth of domains of opposite polarity.…”

“…The stress-induced transduction kinetics continues through a complex interaction of perturbation potentials, field wall motion, and nucleation and growth of domains of opposite polarity. Fig a,b PFM images acquires the thin film before and after mechanical strain of 1.2% 73 . Chen et al 75 mentioned that the polarization of the BiFeO3 film over the 70 nm axis is completely altered by mechanical force, and its field evolution is similar to that observed with electrical switching in piezoelectric devices (Fig c ,d).…”

Mutual Insight on Ferroelectrics and Hybrid Halide Perovskites: A Platform for Future Multifunctional Energy Conversion

“…In summary, although the presence or absence of ferroelectricity in hybrid perovskites remains a controversial topic, a question also remains as to the significance of ferroelectricity, ferroelasticity, and stress‐induced domain switching or light‐induced changes in chemical mapping and ion migration in determining the extraordinary performance of hybrid perovskite solar cells. Several convincing models for the possible beneficial effects of ferroelectricity in these materials have been proposed, and it is hard to ignore the potential benefits of having a functioning ferroelectric solar absorber layer.…”