Crown Ether Host-Guest Molecular Ferroelectrics

In recent years, molecular ferroelectrics have received great attention due to their low weight, mechanical flexibility, easy preparation and excellent ferroelectric properties. Among them, crown-ether-based molecular ferroelectrics, which are typically composed of the host crown ethers, the guest cations anchored in the crown ethers, and the counterions, are of great interest because of the host-guest structure. Such a structure allows the components to occur order-disorder transition easily, which is beneficial for inducing ferroelectric phase transition. Herein, we summarized the research progress of crown ether host-guest molecular ferroelectrics, focusing on their crystal structure, phase transition, ferroelectric-related properties. In view of the small spontaneous polarization and uniaxial nature, we outlook the chemical design strategies for obtaining high-performance crown-ether-based molecular ferroelectrics. This minireview will be of guiding significance for the future exploration of crown ether host-guest molecular ferroelectrics.     

Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Typical Molecular Ferroelectrics based on Polarized Crystal Charge Model

Molecular ferroelectrics are a promising class of ferroelectrics, with environmental friendliness, flexibility and low cost. In this work, a set of characteristic molecular ferroelectrics are simulated by molecular dynamics (MD) with polarized crystal charge (PCC). From the simulated results, their ferroelectric switching mechanisms are elucidated, with their ferroelectric hysteresis loops. The PCC charge model, recently developed by our group, containing the quantum electric polarization effect, is suitable in nature for studying molecular ferroelectrics. The simulated systems include the typical molecular ionic ferroelectrics, di-isopropyl-ammonium halide (DIPAX, X=C (Cl), B (Br), and I), as well as a pair of newly validated organic molecular ferroelectrics, salicylideneaniline and (-)-camphanic acid. In total, there are five systems under investigation. Results demonstrate that the PCC MD method is efficient and reliable. It not only elucidates the ferroelectric switching mechanism of the studied molecular ferroelectrics, but also extends the application range of the PCC MD. In conclusion, PCC MD provides an efficient protocol for extensive computer simulations of molecular ferroelectrics, with reliable ferroelectric properties and associated mechanisms, and would promote further exploration of novel molecular ferroelectrics.     

The Narrowest Band Gap Ever Observed in Molecular Ferroelectrics: Hexane‐1,6‐diammonium Pentaiodobismuth(III)

Narrow band gaps and excellent ferroelectricity are intrinsically paradoxical in ferroelectrics as the leakage current caused by an increase in the number of thermally excited carriers will lead to a deterioration of ferroelectricity. A new molecular ferroelectric, hexane‐1,6‐diammonium pentaiodobismuth (HDA‐BiI₅), was now developed through band gap engineering of organic–inorganic hybrid materials. It features an intrinsic band gap of 1.89 eV, and thus represents the first molecular ferroelectric with a band gap of less than 2.0 eV. Simultaneously, low‐temperature solution processing was successfully applied to fabricate high‐quality ferroelectric thin films based on HDA‐BiI₅, for which high‐precision controllable domain flips were realized. Owing to its narrow band gap and excellent ferroelectricity, HDA‐BiI₅ can be considered as a milestone in the exploitation of molecular ferroelectrics, with promising applications in high‐density data storage and photovoltaic conversion.     

一种乌青铜结构光催化剂：铁电-顺电相变与光催化性质

近年来,铁电材料作为一种潜在的高活性光催化剂材料越来越多地受到研究者关注.由于晶体结构的对称性破缺导致铁电晶体中出现自发极化,在这种极化内建电场的影响下,光生电子-空穴将发生空间分离,从而有效抑制载流子复合,进一步提高光催化体系的总量子效率.文献报道了很多性能优异的铁电光伏器件,在这样的思路下,越来越多的材料被直接作为光催化材料来研究,但有关顺电-铁电差异的报道很少,铁电性与光催化性能关联的直接证据尚有欠缺.研究表明, SrxBa1-xNb2O6(SBN)材料的居里温度(TC)对组分调变有很强的依赖性,当 Sr2+含量发生改变时(x =0.32-0.82),其居里温度可在10-270oC范围内变化.因此,合成一个居里温度接近室温的 SBN材料,研究其在顺/铁电相下自发极化行为、光生电荷分离行为、光催化行为及结构演变,就可能得到一个关于铁电性与光催化性能关系的直接证据,并有助于理解二者的关联性.本文以较低温度(65°C)下发生铁-顺电相变的 Sr0.7Ba0.3Nb2O6(SBN-70)材料为模型体系,使用X射线衍射、紫外可见光谱及不同温度下的铁电及介电测试、光电测试、光催化产氢和荧光激发谱等表征技术,研究了 SBN-70光电/光催化性能差异与相结构的相关性.首先使用高温固相合成法制备了纯相的四方钨青铜型 SBN-70材料,根据紫外可见漫反射光谱表征结果,推测 SBN-70材料在热力学上可发生光催化水分解反应.对 SBN-70进行的铁电及介电测试表明 SBN-70属于典型的弛豫型铁电材料：介电峰温度宽化显著,且介电峰位置随不同测试频率发生变化.在f =1 kHz测试下,其名义居里温度约为65oC.使用高温下两步烧结法制备了致密的 Ag/SBN-70/Ag陶瓷样品.受到高强度电场(E =30 kV/cm)极化的 Ag/SBN-70/Ag样品在紫外光照射下出现了显著光伏效应,铁电回线测试表明极化后的 SBN-70材料中存在强度约为0.8 kV/cm由剩余极化导致的内建电场,当经过极化的 SBN-70经过80oC退火后,光伏效应消失.结果表明, SBN-70极化后在内建极化场的作用下,在低温铁电相表现了显著的光生电荷分离能力,在进入高温顺电相后,这种分离能力随着自发极化的消失而消失.同时我们发现担载 Pt的 SBN-70粉末样品作为光催化剂在不同温度下存在很大的光催化产氢活性差异：反应在15oC时,产氢量为4.5μmol,随着反应温度升高,其产氢量升高,在60oC时为5.3μmol,继续升高温度至80oC时,发生了反常的活性变化,即产氢活性完全消失.这种反常的活性-温度关系可能与 SBN-70的铁-顺电相变有关：进入高温顺电相(80oC)后,晶体结构回到4/mmm点群,铁电畴结构不再存在,从而丧失了作为电荷分离驱动力的自发极化.不同温度下荧光激发谱结果也暗示了 SBN-70在高于65oC附近极化结构的消失.本文结果表明,铁电相中存在的铁电极化结构确实有利于光生电荷分离,进而提高了光催化反应活性.     

Supramolecular bola-like ferroelectric: 4-methoxyanilinium tetrafluoroborate-18-crown-6

Molecular motion is one of the structural foundations for the development of functional molecular materials such as artificial motors and molecular ferroelectrics. Herein, we show that pendulum-like motion of the terminal group of a molecule causes a ferroelectric phase transition. Complex 4-methoxyanilinium tetrafluoroborate-18-crown-6 ([C(7)H(10)NO(18-crown-6)](+)[BF(4)](-), 1) shows a second-order ferroelectric phase transition at 127 K, together with an abrupt dielectric anomaly, Debye-type relaxation behavior, and the symmetry breaking confirmed by temperature dependence of second harmonic generation effect. The origin of the polarization is due to the order-disorder transition of the pendulum-like motions of the terminal para-methyl group of the 4-methoxyanilinium guest cation; that is, the freezing of pendulum motion at low temperature forces significant orientational motions of the guest molecules and thus induces the formation of the ferroelectric phase. The supramolecular bola-like ferroelectric is distinct from the precedent ferroelectrics and will open a new avenue for the design of polar functional materials.     

A multifunctional molecular ferroelectric with chiral features,a high Curie temperature,large spontaneous polarization and photoluminescence: (C9H14N)2CdBr4

Low-dimensional chiral organic–inorganic hybrid metal halides have attracted a lot of attention in recent years due to their unique intrinsic properties, including having potential applications in optoelectronic and spintronic devices. However, low-dimensional chiral molecular ferroelectrics are very rare. In this paper, we report a novel zero-dimensional molecular ferroelectric (C₉H₁₄N)₂CdBr₄ (C₉H₁₄N⁺ = protonated 3-phenylpropylamine), which has obvious dielectric and thermal anomalies and shows a high Curie temperature at 395 K. It crystallizes in the P2₁ space group at room temperature, showing a strong CD signal, large spontaneous polarization (P_s = 13.5 μC cm⁻²), and a clear ferroelectric domain. In addition, it also exhibits a flexible SHG response. The photoluminescence spectrum shows that 1 has broadband luminescence. At the same time, compound 1 has a wide band gap, which is mainly contributed to by the inorganic CdBr₄ tetrahedron. The high tunability of low-dimensional chiral molecular ferroelectrics also opens up a way to explore multifunctional chiral materials.

A novel molecular ferroelectric (C₉H₁₄N)₂CdBr₄ with high Curie temperature (T_c = 395 K), strong CD signal, large spontaneous polarization, clear ferroelectric domain and fluorescence characteristics.     

Ferroelectric Ionic Molecular Crystals with Significant Plasticity and a Low Melting Point: High Performance in Hot-Pressed Polycrystalline Plates and Melt-Grown Crystalline Sheets

Among ferroelectric crystals based on small molecules, plastic/ferroelectric crystals are currently receiving particular attention because they can be used as bulk polycrystals. Herein, we show that an ionic molecular ferroelectric crystal, guanidinium tetrafluoroborate, exhibits significant malleability and multiaxial ferroelectricity despite the absence of a plastic crystal phase. Powder samples of this crystal can be processed into transparent bulk crystalline plates either by press-forming or by melt-growing. The plates show high ferroelectric performance and related properties, demonstrating the largest hitherto reported spontaneous polarization for bulk polycrystals of small-molecule-based ferroelectrics. Owing to the ready availability of large-scale materials and processability into various bulk crystalline forms, this ferroelectric crystal represents a highly promising functional material that will boost research on diverse applications as bulk crystals.     

二维有机-无机杂化钙钛矿铁电材料的研究进展

铁电性通常是指电介质材料的自发极化取向随着外加电场发生变化的性能.以自发极化为核心,铁电材料表现出优异的介电响应、热释电性、压电性、电光效应和非线性光学效应等,是一类具有广阔应用前景的功能材料.近年来,二维有机-无机杂化钙钛矿化合物在铁电研究领域崭露头角,逐渐发展为铁电材料的重要组成部分.此类材料具有独特的结构兼容性与...     

A Homochiral Fulgide Organic Ferroelectric Crystal with Photoinduced Molecular Orbital Breaking

Thermally triggered spatial symmetry breaking in traditional ferroelectrics has been extensively studied for manipulation of the ferroelectricity. However, photoinduced molecular orbital breaking, which is promising for optical control of ferroelectric polarization, has been rarely explored. Herein, for the first time, we synthesized a homochiral fulgide organic ferroelectric crystal (E)-(R)-3-methyl-3-cyclohexylidene-4-(diphenylmethylene)dihydro-2,5-furandione ( 1 ), which exhibits both ferroelectricity and photoisomerization. Significantly, 1 shows a photoinduced reversible change in its molecular orbitals from the 3 π molecular orbitals in the open-ring isomer to 2 π and 1 σ molecular orbitals in the closed-ring isomer, which enables reversible ferroelectric domain switching by optical manipulation. To our knowledge, this is the first report revealing the manipulation of ferroelectric polarization in homochiral ferroelectric crystal by photoinduced breaking of molecular orbitals. This finding sheds light on the exploration of molecular orbital breaking in ferroelectrics for optical manipulation of ferroelectricity.     

Designing and Constructing a High‐Temperature Molecular Ferroelectric by Anion and Cation Replacement in a Simple Crown Ether Clathrate

Molecular ferroelectrics have displayed a promising future since they are light‐weight, flexible, environmentally friendly and easily synthesized, compared to traditional inorganic ferroelectrics. However, how to precisely design a molecular ferroelectric from a non‐ferroelectric phase transition molecular system is still a great challenge. Here we designed and constructed a molecular ferroelectric by double regulation of the anion and cation in a simple crown ether clathrate, 4 , [K(18‐crown‐6)]⁺[PF₆]^?. By replacing K⁺ and PF₆^? with H₃O⁺ and [FeCl₄]^? respectively, we obtained a new molecular ferroelectric [H₃O(18‐crown‐6)]⁺[FeCl₄]^?, 1 . Compound 1 undergoes a para‐ferroelectric phase transition near 350 K with symmetry change from P21/n to the Pmc21 space group. X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction analysis suggests that the phase transition was mainly triggered by the displacement motion of H₃O⁺ and [FeCl₄]^? ions and twist motion of 18‐crown‐6 molecule. Strikingly, compound 1 shows high a Curie temperature (350 K), ultra‐strong second harmonic generation signals (nearly 8 times of KDP), remarkable dielectric switching effect and large spontaneous polarization. We believe that this research will pave the way to design and build high‐quality molecular ferroelectrics as well as their application in smart materials.     

An Overview of Linear Dielectric Polymers and Their Nanocomposites for Energy Storage

As one of the most important energy storage devices, dielectric capacitors have attracted increasing attention because of their ultrahigh power density, which allows them to play a critical role in many high-power electrical systems. To date, four typical dielectric materials have been widely studied, including ferroelectrics, relaxor ferroelectrics, anti-ferroelectrics, and linear dielectrics. Among these materials, linear dielectric polymers are attractive due to their significant advantages in breakdown strength and efficiency. However, the practical application of linear dielectrics is usually severely hindered by their low energy density, which is caused by their relatively low dielectric constant. This review summarizes some typical studies on linear dielectric polymers and their nanocomposites, including linear dielectric polymer blends, ferroelectric/linear dielectric polymer blends, and linear polymer nanocomposites with various nanofillers. Moreover, through a detailed analysis of this research, we summarize several existing challenges and future perspectives in the research area of linear dielectric polymers, which may propel the development of linear dielectric polymers and realize their practical application.     

Switchable columnar metallomesogens

Chiral columnar liquid crystals have recently appeared as a promising new type of ferroelectric materials. To date, all the columnar liquid crystals that have been reported to show ferroelectric switching consist of organic compounds. However, metal-containing liquid crystals open this field to a significant number of new structures and offer the possibility of adding to the ferroelectric behavior other properties inherent to the presence of metals in the structure, such as magnetism, as well as the use of new methods of characterization (EPR, synchrotron radiation, etc.). The potential of columnar metal-containing liquid crystals as ferroelectric materials has been demonstrated even though only a few organic columnar ferroelectric liquid crystals have been described. As a first approach to this type of material, this concepts article describes the results obtained with chiral metal beta-diketonates that show ferroelectric switching in the columnar mesophase. It has been shown that these materials have a helical columnar arrangement in the mesomorphic state, and a chiral superstructure has been proposed from circular dichroism studies. This type of supramolecular structure plays a fundamental role in the ferroelectric properties of these compounds. The discussion is mainly focused on the strategy employed for the molecular design, and on the interpretation of the mesophase structure and the electrooptic effect. The use of a diverse range of techniques, both those commonly used in the field of liquid crystals and those that are more specific will be highlighted, and the principles of these specific techniques are summarized together with a justification of their applicability to this study.     

A Molecular Thermochromic Ferroelectric

Molecular ferroelectrics have attracted considerable interests because of their easy and environmentally friendly processing, low acoustical impedance and mechanical flexibility. Herein, a molecular thermochromic ferroelectric, N,N′‐dimethyl‐1,4‐diazoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octonium tetrachlorocuprate(II) ([DMe‐DABCO]CuCl₄) is reported, which shows both excellent ferroelectricity and intriguing thermochromism. [DMe‐DABCO]CuCl₄ undergoes a ferroelectric phase transition from Pca2₁ to Pbcm at a significantly high Curie temperature of 413 K, accompanied by a color change from yellow to red that is due to the remarkable deformation of [CuCl₄]^2? tetrahedron, where the ferroelectric and paraelectric phases correspond to yellow and red, respectively. Combined with multiple bistable physical properties, [DMe‐DABCO]CuCl₄ would be a promising candidate for next‐generation smart devices, and should inspire further exploration of multifunctional molecular ferroelectrics.     

A High‐Temperature Molecular Ferroelectric Zn/Dy Complex Exhibiting Single‐Ion‐Magnet Behavior and Lanthanide Luminescence

Multifunctional molecular ferroelectrics are exciting materials synthesized using molecular chemistry concepts, which may combine a spontaneous electrical polarization, switched upon applying an electric field, with another physical property. A high‐temperature ferroelectric material is presented that is based on a chiral Zn²⁺/Dy³⁺ complex exhibiting Dy³⁺ luminescence, optical activity, and magnetism. We investigate the correlations between the electric polarization and the crystal structure as well as between the low‐temperature magnetic slow relaxation and the optical properties.     

分子基铁电体研究进展

作为铁磁性材料的电等价物,铁电体具有宏观自发电极化,表现出电滞回线等特性,在存储、能量转换、开关、传感等方面得到广泛应用。由于分子材料的特性,分子基铁电体可望作为无机陶瓷铁电体的有益补充和替代。本文围绕铁电的基本概念、原理和特征,针对分子基铁电体的基础研究进展,进行简要综述。     

Application of calorimetry and thermodynamics to critical problems in materials science

Calorimetry and thermodynamic studies have long been playing a very important role in the research fields of fundamental science and technology. Some topics and examples of thermodynamics studies are given, and the details are explained on the basis of the present author’s experience, focusing attention to application of adiabatic calorimetry and thermodynamics to solve critical problems in materials science: (1) condensed gas calorimetry and third law entropy, (2) phase transition and polymorphism in simple molecular crystals, (3) incommensurate phase transitions, (4) particle size effects on the phase transitions in ferroelectric/ferroelastic crystals, (5) relaxor ferroelectrics and multi-ferroics, and some other topics in materials science and technology.     

Hydrogen-bonded donor--acceptor compounds for organic ferroelectric materials

Organic ferroelectrics are multifunctional candidates for future organic electronic and optical devices. In spite of their potential, only a few organic compounds are known to exhibit a ferroelectric transition. The conventional approach to ferroelectrics, in general, relies on the use of asymmetric dipolar molecules and/or substituents. Recently, distinct design strategies have been developed using the molecular compounds of binary- or multi-components, combined with "non-covalent" forces: charge-transfer interactions and/or hydrogen bonding. This article focuses on the supramolecular systems of hydrogen-bonded acid and base molecules. Ferroelectricity and a significant dielectric response, as well as an antiferroelectric ordering induced by proton transfer, are demonstrated in the hydrogen-bonded chains composed of 2,5-dihydroxy-p-benzoquinone derivatives and nitrogen-containing aromatic bases.     

多孔氧化物块体材料的制备及其对重金属离子吸附研究进展

目前去除重金属离子的方法较多,其中吸附法因操作简单、经济性好而被广泛使用。多孔氧化物块体材料作为新兴的吸附材料具有比表面积高、机械强度高及可回收性好等特点,但吸附选择性差以及孔结构单一的缺陷限制了其在水体重金属处理中的应用。本文详细叙述了多孔氧化物块体材料的多种制备方法,并分别讨论了各方法的优势及其不足。介绍了近几年研究较多的多孔氧化物块体材料及其制备方法与特性。最后,对多孔氧化物块体材料对Pb、Cd及Cr等重金属离子吸附性能的影响因素及改善措施方面进行了总结分析,并指出多种材料的复合、材料表面的接枝改性及分级多孔结构的构建会增强对重金属离子的吸附性能。期望本文为多孔氧化物块体材料的制备及其在重金属离子吸附方面的应用提供参考。     

高分子电致发光材料结构设计方法概述*

高分子发光二极管（PLED）因其巨大的科学和商业价值而得到了广泛关注,近年来各种新材料的不断开发和深入研究使PLED器件日益走向实用化。高分子电致发光材料的结构设计是新材料开发的灵魂,本文结合我们的工作概述了高分子发光材料结构设计的基本原理和设计要点,详细介绍了单分子结构设计方法及其相关的基本思路和理论,分析了聚集态结构对材料及其器件性能的影响,概括了聚集态结构设计的一些基本方法。最后提出了高分子发光材料结构设计的一般性思路,并展望了其研究和发展方向。     

非共价键交联海藻酸钠水凝胶的制备与性能

天然多糖海藻酸钠制备的水凝胶具有优越的生物相容性和生物组织相似性,作为生物医用材料在药物控制释放、组织工程支架、抗菌材料及创伤敷料等领域发挥着越来越大的作用。本文在介绍海藻酸钠物化性质的基础上,重点综述了非共价键交联(静电作用、氢键、范德华力、亲疏水作用等)海藻酸钠水凝胶的制备方法以及性能表征方法,最后讨论了制备方法及性能表征研究中的一些需要解决的问题。