First-principles comparative study of multiferroic compound PbVO3

We report a comprehensive first-principles investigation of the structural, electronic, magnetic and phase transition properties in multiferroic compound PbVO₃ with systematic comparisons of various exchange-correlation (XC) functionals. The antiferromagnetic (AFM) insulating ground state of tetragonal phase has been obtained in the framework of the band theory, which is characterized by C-type two-dimensional AFM magnetic ordering in the ab plane. A first-order structural transformation from tetragonal phase to idea cubic perovskite structure takes place at 1.75 GPa, corresponding to the ferroelectric to paraelectric phase transition. Electronic structure calculations suggest that the ground state of the cubic paraelectric phase is a nonmagnetic orbital-disorder metal.     

Thermodynamic and morphological studies of the solid-state transition in copolymers of vinylidene fluoride and trifluoroethylene

Copolymers of vinylidene fluoride and trifluroethylene are presently being considered for many piezoelectric applications. In contrast to the poly(vinylidene fluoride) homopolymer, a transition from the room temperature ferroelectric phase to a paraelectric phase has been observed in these copolymers. The temperature of this transition was determined by measuring the position of the endothermic peak observed in the differential scanning calorimeter. The rate of cooling from the paraelectric to ferroelectric phase was found to affect the temperature at which the transition occurred on subsequent heating. Changing the conditions under which molten polymer initially crystallized into the paraelectric phase had an even greater effect on the resultant transition temperature. In addition to the DSC studies, wide-angle x-ray measurements were performed on samples subjected to different thermal treatments. No significant differences were found in the x-ray scans of these copolymers.     

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.     

Etude calorimetrique et dilatometrique sous pression des transitions de phase de Pb(Zr0,965Ti0,035)O3 dope

The pressure—temperature phase diagram of the solid solution is drawn by calorimetric measurements. With temperature increasing the observed phase transitions are, according to the pressure: antiferroelectric, ferroelectric, paraelectric, or antiferroelectric, antiferroelectric, paraelectric. The heats of transition are measured and compared with those calculated using the Clausius—Clapeyron relationships for first-order transitions; the deviations observed at some phase transitions are discussed.     

氢对PbZr0.5Ti0.5O3在氮氢混合气氛退火中铁电性能的影响

采用基于密度泛函理论的第一性原理, 针对PbZr0.5Ti0.5O3无氢和含氢的顺电相和铁电相的二层超晶胞, 分别计算了Ti沿c轴位移时体系总能量的变化、电子云密度分布和Ti—O、Zr—O和H—O的重叠布居数. 结果表明, 含氢铁电相的Ti—O键和Zr—O键相对无氢铁电相明显减弱, 氢氧之间较强的轨道杂化使它们趋于形成共价键; 晶格中氢氧键的钉扎效应使含氢情况下的顺电相能量始终低于铁电相能量, 说明氢的引入阻碍了PbZr0.5Ti0.5O3从立方顺电相到四方铁电相的相变, 并推断其为含氢气氛退火过程中PbZr0.5Ti0.5O3铁电性能下降的主要原因之一. 所得结果对于深入理解铁电材料在氮氢混合气氛退火后铁电性能下降的微观机制具有参考价值.     

Dielectric and thermodynamic studies of Smectic-A–Smectic-C* phase transition in antiferroelectric liquid crystal: thermal hysteresis

We present the experimental evidence and theoretical studies of the para–ferroelectric phase transition in the chiral liquid crystal C12HH. The investigated compound presents a large SmC* range. Both microscopic observation and dielectric measurements show thermal hysteresis and coexistence phases at paraelectric (SmA)–ferroelectric (SmC*) phase transition. The thermal hysteresis is analysed in samples with different planar cell thickness. The SmA–SmC* phase transition under electric field is also investigated. Finally, the Landau free energy density is used to analyse the experimental measurements, showing a satisfactory agreement with experimental data.     

Polar Order and Symmetry Breaking at the Boundary between Bent‐Core and Rodlike Molecular Forms: When 4‐Cyanoresorcinol Meets the Carbosilane End Group

Two isomeric achiral bent‐core liquid crystals involving a 4‐cyanoresorcinol core and containing a carbosilane unit as nanosegregating segment were synthesized and were shown to form ferroelectric liquid‐crystalline phases. Inversion of the direction of one of the COO groups in these molecules leads to a distinct distribution of the electrostatic potential along the surface of the molecule and to a strong change of the molecular dipole moments. Thus, a distinct degree of segregation of the carbosilane units and consequent modification of the phase structure and coherence length of polar order result. For the compound with larger dipole moment ( CN1 ) segregation of the carbosilane units is suppressed, and this compound forms paraelectric SmA and SmC phases; polar order is only achieved after transition to a new LC phase, namely, the ferroelectric leaning phase (SmCL_sP_S) with the unique feature that tilt direction and polar direction coincide. The isomeric compound CN2 with a smaller dipole moment forms separate layers of the carbosilane groups and shows a randomized polar SmA phase (SmAP_AR) and ferroelectric polydomain SmC_sP_S phases with orthogonal combination of tilt and polar direction and much higher polarizations. Thus, surprisingly, the compound with the smaller molecular dipole moment shows increased polar order in the LC phases. Besides ferroelectricity, mirror‐symmetry breaking with formation of a conglomerate of macroscopic chiral domains was observed in one of the SmC phases of CN1 . These investigations contribute to the general understanding of the development of polar order and chirality in soft matter.     

PZT/P(VDF-TrFE)7030 0-3型复合材料的非等温结晶和居里相变行为

采用DSC研究了PZT P(VDF TrFE) 70 30复合材料的非等温结晶和居里相变过程 .结果表明 ,PZT粒子对共聚物基体的结晶行为 ,包括结晶温度、结晶速率和结晶度等影响不大 ;然而共聚物的居里相变过程则受到PZT粒子的影响 ,随PZT粒子含量的增大 ,共聚物基体的居里相变热焓与熔体结晶热焓的比值减小 ,而且其中对应从顺电性的高温相 (HT)转变为铁电性的过冷相 (CL)的相变热焓含量减小 ,意味着PZT粒子的存在能够抑制共聚物铁电晶体中旁式构象缺陷的形成 ,从而提高铁电晶体的完善度     

Spectroscopic studies on the effect of field strength upon the curie transition of a VDF/TrFE copolymer

Infrared spectroscopic studies of the effects of field strength upon the ferroelectric phase transition behavior of a VDF/TrFE (75/25) copolymer upon heating and cooling in an electric field have revealed new findings. The paraelectric phase in the absence of an electric field resembles the α phase of PVDF with a trace of short trans sequences distributed randomly along the chain axis. The paraelectric phase in a high electric field is very different from that in the absence of an electric field. The paraelectric phase under an electric field has much longer trans sequences. The Curie transition temperature upon heating is a first-order transition temperature (T^↑_c) and is dramatically elevated from 120 to 135°C under the field of more than 0.4 MV/cm. Upon cooling, the paraelectric phase in an electric field does not show a clear transition. The field-induced phase transition and the loss of dipole switchability observed below a cooling temperature of 120°C, and their dependence on time and filed strength when exposed to a cyclic bipolar electric field are discussed. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

An Order–Disorder Ferroelectric Host–Guest Inclusion Compound

The host–guest complex [(DIPA)([18]crown‐6)](ClO₄) ( 1 ; DIPA=2,6‐diisopropylanilinium) was constructed and found to undergo a sequence of phase transitions (Ibam–Pbcn–Pna2₁) at T₁=278 K and T₂=132 K, respectively. Systematic characterizations, such as differential scanning calorimetry, heat capacity, temperature‐dependent dielectric constant, and P–E hysteresis loop, reveal that the centrosymmetric‐to‐polar phase transition at T₂ is a paraelectric‐to‐ferroelectric transition. The symmetry breaking was also confirmed by temperature‐dependent second‐harmonic generation effect and X‐ray powder diffraction. The ferroelectric mechanism is attributable to the linear motion of the perchlorate counterions accompanied by the order–disorder transition of the [18]crown‐6 molecules and the anions.     

The p–T phase diagram for ferroelectric bis-thiourea pyridinium nitrate

The effect of temperature and pressure on physical properties of the ferroelectric bis-thiourea pyridinium nitrate inclusion compound has been studied by dielectric spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). At ambient pressure the ferroparaelectric phase transition observed at T₂ = 216 K is continuous in contrast to the nonferroelectric phase transition observed at T₁ = 273 K. Under small pressures, the temperatures of the phase transitions T₁ and T₂ increase with increasing pressure. Starting from about 250 MPa, T₁ temperature decreases with increasing pressure, while T₂ temperature increases with increasing pressure. At 450 MPa and 245 K a triple point is observed. Bis-thiourea pyridinium nitrate undergoes a continuous phase transition from the ferroelectric to paraelectric phase under 450 MPa, while above this pressure the phase transition from the ferroelectric to paraelectric phase is discontinuous. The change in the phase transition character is related to the crystallographic change in the group–subgroup relation between the ferro- and paraelectric phases taking place with increasing pressure.     

Ba1－xSrxTiO3的Sol-gel法制备与结构相变研究

采用sol-gel法制备了钛酸锶钡(Ba1－xSrxTiO3)．用XRD、DSC、Raman等表征技术研究了Ba1－xSrxTiO3的晶体结构和相变行为.结果表明,随着锶含量的增加,晶胞体积逐渐减小,c/a趋近于1,相变温度降低,相变热减少,相变弥散性增强,且存在热滞现象.Raman光谱发生有趣变化,当x=0.30时,室温下发生结构相变, Ba1－xSrxTiO3以立方相为主要存在相,相变具有有序-无序特征.     

The effect of the alkyl chain length on the mesomorphic properties of new lactic acid derivatives

New series of lactic acid derivatives with alkyl terminal chain have been synthesised and their mesomorphic properties studied. We have varied the length of chiral and non-chiral terminal alkyl chains and found that prolonging both chains has a strong effect on the SmA*–SmC* phase transition. Most of the new materials exhibit only paraelectric SmA* phase; for homologues with a longer non-chiral chain (m ≥ 10), the ferroelectric (SmC*) phase appears below the SmA* on cooling and persists down to a room temperature. The role of the chiral terminal chain in the molecule is quite opposite – only its short length supports the existence of ferroelectric phase. Additionally, a hexatic phase appeared below the SmA*–SmC* phase sequence for several homologues at low temperatures. All materials have been studied using standard experimental techniques (differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), texture observations, polarisation and tilt angle measurements, etc.). Liquid crystalline properties of new materials have been compared with the previously prepared and studied lactic acid derivatives.     

Alpha sub-phase in a new ferroelectric fluorinated compound

Dielectric and DSC methods were used to study a new fluorinated liquid crystalline compound exhibiting ferroelectric and paraelectric phases as well as an intermediate alpha sub-phase. Two dielectric relaxation processes were revealed in the SmC* phase: a typical Goldstone mode over the whole temperature range and a soft mode in the pre-transition region on both sides of the SmC*–SmA* transition. From the temperature dependencies of the dielectric increments and critical frequencies for the dielectric relaxation processes observed in all the liquid crystalline phases, as well as from texture observations, it was shown that there is a SmC*_α sub-phase between the ferroelectric SmC* and paraelectric SmA* phases.     

Thermally stimulated depolarization current in electron‐irradiated poly(vinylidene fluoride‐trifluoroethylene) (56/44 mol %) copolymers

The effect of electron irradiation on poly(vinylidene fluoride‐trifluoroethylene) (56/44 mol %) copolymers was studied with dielectric constant measurements, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X‐ray diffraction, thermally stimulated depolarization current (TSDC) spectroscopy, and polarization hysteresis loops. The dielectric relaxation peaks, obeying the Vogel–Fulcher law, indicated that the copolymers were transformed from a normal ferroelectric to a relaxor ferroelectric. The X‐ray and DSC results showed that both the crystalline and polar ordering decreased after irradiation, indicating a partial recovery from trans–gauche bonds to local trans bonds (polar ordering). Moreover, the peak temperature decreased with the irradiation dose in the TSDC spectra; this demonstrated fewer dipoles and crystalline regions in the irradiated copolymer films during the ferroelectric–paraelectric transition and was consistent with polarization hysteresis loop measurements. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 1099–1105, 2004     

The tuning of crystallization behavior of ferroelectric poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene)

Poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) [P(VDF-TrFE)] has three crystal forms, including paraelectric α, ferroelectric β, and γ phases. In previous studies, the properties and performances of P(VDF-TrFE) have been the focus of research. However, the formation mechanism and regulation mode of various crystal forms remain unclear. Therefore, it is an important topic for further research to elucidate, summarize, and prospect the polymorphism of P(VDF-TrFE) and regulate the crystal forms. This review systematically summarizes the crystalline structure and phase transition between ferroelectric and paraelectric phase of P(VDF-TrFE) crystals; discusses the influence of annealing, blending and electric field on the crystallinity, selection of polymorphic crystals, and phase transition behavior between them; reviews the effects of annealing, melt-recrystallization, substrate and nanoconfinement on the crystal orientation. Finally, the effects of the crystal structure of P(VDF-TrFE) on its properties are briefly summarized.     

Micropatterning of the Ferroelectric Phase in a Poly(vinylidene difluoride) Film by Plasmonic Heating with Gold Nanocages

Polymer thin films with patterned ferroelectric domains are attractive for a broad range of applications, including the fabrication of tactile sensors, infrared detectors, and non‐volatile memories. Herein, we report the use of gold nanocages (AuNCs) as plasmonic nanostructures to induce a ferroelectric–paraelectric phase transition in a poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) thin film by leveraging its photothermal effect. This technique allows us to generate patterned domains of ferroelectric PVDF within just a few seconds. The incorporation of AuNCs significantly enhances the pyroelectric response of the ferroelectric film under near‐infrared irradiation. We also demonstrate the use of such patterned ferroelectric films for near‐infrared sensing/imaging.     

Y掺杂Ba0.90Sr0.08Ca0.02TiO3固溶体纳米晶粒尺寸 对其晶体结构的影响

The title nanocrystalline powders were prepared by sol-gel method, the influences of grain size on crystal structure were investigated by XRD and DSC techniques.The experiment results show that the tetragonal ferroelectric phase content of the powders and the Curie temperature Tc are increased with the increase of grain size.When the grain size is less than 34.7nm, crystal structure of the particle changes into cubic paraelectric phase and the transition of ferro-paraelectric phase disappears as well.     

A Raman study of multiferroic LuMnO3

Magnetic and dielectric measurements confirm the multiferroic nature of LuMnO₃. Raman spectra of LuMnO₃ have been recorded in the 77–800 K range covering both the antiferromagnetic transition at 90 K and the ferroelectric–paraelectric transition at 750 K. The changes in the phonon modes frequencies and band-widths indicate the presence of phonon–spin coupling in the antiferromagnetically ordered phase. The ferroelectric–paraelectric transition is accompanied by the broadening and disappearance of many of the phonon modes. Some of the phonon modes also show anomalies at the ferroelectric transition.     

新铌酸盐Sr5LnTi3Nb7O30的结构与介电性能

在SrO-Ln2O3-TiO2-Nb2O5(Ln=La, Y)体系中,通过固相反应法，合成了填满型钨青铜结构新铌酸盐Sr5LaTi3Nb7O30与Sr5YTi3Nb7O30.分别采用X射线衍射分析、扫描电镜进行了结构分析,并进行了介电性能测试.结果表明, Sr5LaTi3Nb7O30室温时为四方钨青铜结构顺电相,晶胞参数a=1.233 60(4) nm, c=0.388 01(2) nm;频率为1 MHz时,其陶瓷的室温相对介电常数为466,介电损耗约为5×10－3.Sr5YTi3Nb7O30为弛豫性铁电体, 10 kHz时居里温度为260 ℃;室温时为四方钨青铜结构铁电相,晶胞参数a=1.228 80(4) nm, c=0.387 05(2) nm; 1 MHz时,陶瓷体的室温相对介电常数为290.