The thermodynamic functions of ferroelectric and paraelectric SbSI

A first-principle method is used to calculate phonon density of states, Helmholtz free energy, internal energy, and entropy for ferroelectric and paraelectric SbSI. Theoretical phase transition temperature was obtained using the difference of the Helmholtz free energy, internal energy, and entropy term between ferroelectric and paraelectric phases on temperature. The obtained value is in reasonable agreement with the experimental second-order phase transition temperature T_c2 = 233 K.     

Band structure and optical properties of antimony-sulfobromide: density functional calculation

The electronic structure, linear, and non-linear optical properties of ferroelectric-semiconductor SbSBr are investigated in the non-polar (paraelectric) and polar (ferroelectric) phase, using the density functional methods in the generalized gradient approximation. The electronic band structure obtained shows that SbSBr has an indirect forbidden gap of 2.16 and 2.21 eV in the paraelectric and ferroelectric phase, respectively. The linear photon-energy dependent dielectric functions and some optical functions, such as absorption and extinction coefficients, refractive index, energy-loss function, reflectivity, and optical conductivity in both phases and photon-energy dependent second-order susceptibilities in the ferroelectric phase are calculated. Moreover, some important optical parameters, such as the effective number of valence electrons and the effective optical dielectric constant, are calculated in both phases.      

The nature of anharmonicity and anomalous piezoelectric properties of ferroelectric SbSBr crystal

The contribution of soft mode at Sb atom's sites, to the temperature dependences of Sb atom's equilibrium position's difference Δz(T) has been studied theoretically, when SbSBr crystal is deformed along a(x), b(y) and c(z)-axis in paraelectric phase and is deformed along c(z)-axis in ferroelectric phase. The largest change of Δz₃₃(T) occurs in the ferroelectric phase near the phase transition temperature in the range from 16 K to 21 K. The temperature dependence of Sb atom's equilibrium position's displacements Δz₃₃ is very similar to the temperature dependence of experimental piezoelectric modulus, when SbSBr crystal is deformed in the direction of c(z)-axis in ferroelectric phase.     

多铁材料BaCoF$lt;sub$gt;4$lt;/sub$gt;电子结构的第一性原理研究

采用基于密度泛函理论的广义梯度近似方法和赝势平面波法,对多铁材料BaCoF₄的铁电反铁磁相和可能的顺电相的电子结构进行了第一性原理研究.研究表明,反铁磁态很可能有利于低温下的铁电稳定性,F的强负电性使得体系内原子间主要是离子键相互作用.Co离子与在bc面上的F（2）,F（3）离子间完全是离子键作用,而与F（4）间有较弱的共价作用,与F（1）间作用介于两者之间.铁电畸变主要来源于Ba离子与F（1）, F（2）, F（3）离子沿着c轴方向的相对位移,F（4）对铁电性的贡献最少.铁电相中F（2）, F（3）离子的能量低于中心对称相,最大位移贡献者F（1）的化学键性由弱共价作用到离子键的变化也是最大的,这均有利于体系的稳定. 关键词： 第一性原理 铁电性 铁电畸变 反铁磁性     

High P–T Raman study of transitions in relaxor multiferroic Pb(Fe0.5Nb0.5)O3

The vibrational and structural properties of Pb(Fe_0.5Nb_0.5)O₃ have been investigated using Raman spectroscopy up to 40 GPa at 300 K and from 300 to 415 K at selected pressures. The measurements reveal three phase transitions, at 5.5, 8.7, and 24 GPa at room temperature. The temperature dependences of the spectra indicate transitions at 1.5 GPa, at 335 and 365 K. The results are consistent with the appearance of an intermediate tetragonal P4mm phase between the ferroelectric R3m and paraelectric Pm‐3m phases. A P–T phase diagram is proposed that allows further insight into the magnetoelectric coupling present in this material. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structures and elastic properties of paraelectric and ferroelectric KTa0.5Nb0.5O3 from first-principles calculation

The structures, elastic properties and intrinsic hardness of B-O bonds of KTa_0.5Nb_0.5O₃ crystal in paraelectric and ferroelectric phase structures have been investigated by means of the density functional theory. Both structures are found to be elastically stable and in good agreement with available results. The elastic properties including the bulk modulus, shear modulus and Young’s modulus change largely during phase transition. The paraelectric KTa_0.5Nb_0.5O₃ crystal is more incompressible and harder than ferroelectric phase. The hardness of KTa_0.5Nb_0.5O₃ crystal is mostly determined by Nb-O bonds and the modifications of the bond strength affect the hardness of the crystal. Charge density contours indicate that the electronic distributions between B-O bonds play an important role in the formation of elastic properties.     

Depolarization field and properties of thin ferroelectric films with inclusion of the electrode effect

The influence of metallic electrodes on the properties of thin ferroelectric films is considered in the framework of the Ginzburg-Landau phenomenological theory. The contribution of the electrodes with different screening lengths l _s of carriers in the electrode material is included in the free-energy functional. The critical temperature T _cl , the critical thickness of the film, and the critical screening length of the electrode at which the ferroelectric phase transforms into the paraelectric phase are calculated. The Euler-Lagrange equation for the polarization P is solved by the direct variational method. The results demonstrate that the film properties can be calculated by minimizing the free energy, which has a standard form but involves the coefficient of the term P². This coefficient depends not only on the temperature but also on the film thickness, the surface and correlation effects, and the electrode characteristics. The calculations of the polarization, the dielectric susceptibility, the pyroelectric coefficient, and the depolarization field show that the ferroelectric state of the film can be destroyed using electrodes from a material whose screening length exceeds a critical value. This means that the electrodes being in operation can induce a transition from the ferroelectric phase to the paraelectric phase. The quantitative criteria obtained indicate that the phase state and properties of thin ferroelectric films can be controlled by choosing the appropriate electrode material.     

Dielectric relaxation in ferroelectric (CH3)2NH2AL(so4)2 · 6H2O crystal

Abstract

This paper presents the results of the investigation of dielectric dispersion and ultrasonic velocity in the ferroelectric (CH₃)₂NH₂Al(SO₄)₂ · 6H₂O crystal. The crystal shows a critical slowing down process of polarization with an extremely long relaxation time of the dipole system (τ = 1.6 · 10^?7s at the phase transition point). The dielectric response over the frequency range up to 56 GHz in the paraelectric phase can be well described in terms of a monodispersive Debye-type formula. The activation energy of dipoles in the paraelectric phase is 0.11 eV = 8.5 kT_c . The results show that the proper ferroelectric phase transition is nearly critical and of the order-disorder type.     

Absence of relaxor-like ferroelectric phase transition in (Pb,Sr)TiO3 thin films

We have performed dielectric and micro-Raman spectroscopy measurements in the 298–673 K temperature range in polycrystalline Pb_0.50Sr_0.50TiO₃ thin films prepared by a soft chemical method. The phase transition have been investigated by dielectric measurements at various frequencies during the heating cycle. It was found that the temperature corresponding to the peak value of the dielectric constant is frequency-independent, indicating a non-relaxor ferroelectric behavior. However, the dielectric constant versus temperature curves associated with the ferroelectric to paraelectric phase transition showed a broad maximum peak at around 433 K. The observed behavior is explained in terms of a diffuse phase transition. The obtained Raman spectra indicate the presence of a local symmetry disorder, due to a higher strontium concentration in the host lattice. The monitoring of some modes, conducted in the Pb_0.50Sr_0.50TiO₃ thin films, showed that the ferroelectric tetragonal phase undergoes a transition to the paraelectric cubic phase at around 423 K. However, the Raman activity did not disappear, as would be expected from a transition to the cubic paraelectric phase. The strong Raman spectrum observed for this cubic phase is indicative that a diffuse-type phase transition is taking place. This behavior is attributed to distortions of the perovskite structure, allowing the persistence of low-symmetry phase features in cubic phase high above the transition temperature. This result is in contrast to the forbidden first-order Raman spectrum, which would be expected from a cubic paraelectric phase, such as the one observed at high temperature in pure PbTiO₃ perovskite. PACS 78.30.-j; 77.80.Bh; 64.70.Kb; 68.55.-a; 77.22.-a; 77.55.+f     

Equal-permittivity states induced in a ferroelectric

Conditions under which a ferroelectric subjected to an electric field acquires equal-permittivity paraelectric states at different temperatures are studied. The temperature dependences of the control (inducing) field intensity and feasible permittivity interval (ɛ_min-ɛ_max) are obtained. The effect of intersection of the ɛ(E, T _i ) characteristics of the ferroelectric in the paraelectric state is analyzed. With the control field and temperature varying consistently, the permittivity ɛ_i of strontium titanate films and films of the barium titanate-strontium titanate solid solution may be kept constant in a wide (200–320 K) temperature range and, at the same time, changed by more than twofold by varying the electric field.     

Phase transition and linear thermal expansion of (Pb1− x Ba x )ZrO3 ceramics

(Pb_{1? x} Ba _x )ZrO₃ ceramics for the composition range 0?≤?x?≤?0.30 were prepared by the mixed oxide solid state reaction method. Phase transition was studied by dielectric and dilatometric measurements. The ferroelectric to paraelectric phase transition temperature was progressively shifted to a lower temperature by replacing lead with barium. The x?=?0.20 sample showed the maximum dielectric constant of 16,300 at the transition temperature. For compositions 0?≤?x?≤?0.075, the antiferroelectric to ferroelectric phase transition exhibited a large linear thermal expansion. However, the antiferroelectric to ferroelectric phase transition did not exist for 0.10?≤?x?≤?0.30 samples. A phase diagram for PBZ ceramics prepared by the conventional mixed oxide method was also present.     

高温高压下Ag-Mg-Zn合金中金属间化合物的微观结构与热动力学性质的第一性原理计算

采用基于密度泛函理论的第一性原理计算方法,研究了Ag-Mg-Zn合金中金属间化合物AgMg,Mg4Zn8和Ag8Mg4Zn4在高温高压下的结构稳定性、弹性性能和热动力学性质.理论计算结果与实验值和其他的理论结果符合得非常好.研究表明:金属间化合物AgMg,Mg4Zn8和Ag8Mg4Zn4在零温零压下是力学稳定的;Mg4Zn8和Ag8Mg4Zn4为延性相,而AgMg则为脆性相;在这三种金属间化合物中,Ag8Mg4Zn4的塑性最好,AgMg的塑性最差.利用准谐Debye模型,讨论了高温高压下Ag-Mg-Zn合金中金属间化合物的摩尔振动内能Uvib,m,摩尔Helmholtz振动自由能Avib,m,摩尔振动熵Svib,m,摩尔定容热容Cv,m,摩尔定压热容Cp,m,热膨胀系数α,Griüneisen 参量γ和Debye温度(O).     

Strain-induced ferroelectric phase transitions in incipient ferroelectric rutile TiO2

Uniaxial strain induced ferroelectric phase transitions in rutile TiO₂ are investigated by first-principles calculations. The calculated results show that the in-plane tensile strain induces rutile TiO₂, paraelectric phase with P_4-2/mnm (D_4h) space group, to a ferroelectric phase with P_m (C_s) space group,driven by the softening behaviour of the E_u1 mode. In addition, the out-of-plane tensile strain, vertical to the ab plane, leads to a ferroelectric phase with P_42nm (C_4v) space group, driven by the softening behaviour of the A_2u mode. The critical tensile strains are 3.7% in-plane and 4.0% out-of-plane, respectively. In addition, the in-plane compression strain, which has the same structure variation as out-of-plane tensile strain due to Poisson effect, leads the paraelectric rutile TiO₂ to a paraelectric phase with P_nnm (D_2h) space group driven by the softening behaviour of the B_1g mode. These results indicate that the sequence ferroelectric (or paraelectric) phase depends on the strain applied. The origin of ferroelectric stabilization in rutile TiO₂ is also discussed briefly in terms of strain induced Born effective charge transfer.     

Preparation and properties of Ba1−xCaxTiO3 nanopowders obtained by mechanochemical synthesis

ABSTRACT

The calcium-substituted barium titanate nanopowders Ba_1?xCa_xTiO₃ (0.2 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) have been obtained at room temperature by mechanochemical synthesis. The formation of the perovskite phase was controlled by X-ray diffraction studies at various milling duration. The powders possess the perovskite crystallographic structure directly after milling longer than 10 h. The dielectric properties of the ceramics obtained by sintering of the nanopowders were investigated in the temperature range between 300 and 500 K. The temperature dependence of permittivity exhibited a single anomaly, which corresponds to the ferroelectric–paraelectric phase transition.     

Raman Spectra Study on LiTa0.9Nb0.1O3 Single Crystal

In this letter, Raman spectra of LiTa_0.9Nb_0.1O₃ single crystal in both of its ferroelectric phase and paraelectric phase are presented for the first time. Comparing with LiTaO₃ crystal, we find that the distribution and Raman shifts of normal vibrational mades are similar, but the line-shape and relative intensities of these modes have changed.     

A material design of a new high-performance ferroelectric. I. SrTiO2C perovskite

At room temperature, cubic SrTiO₃ perovskite exhibits only paraelectric property, although ferroeletric properties appear in tetragonal BaTiO₃ and PbTiO₃. In this study, the new high-performance ferroelectric such as SrTiO₂C perovskite was theoretically designed. Cluster model calculations based on hybrid density functional theory were performed to clarify a ferroelectric mechanism of SrTiO₂C. It has been concluded that SrTiO₂C can be utilised for a ferroelectric material of a high-speed memory, due to the extremely small polarisation-inversion energy.     

氮氢混合气氛退火中氢对Bi4Ti3O12铁电性能的影响

采用基于密度泛函理论的第一性原理研究了在氮氢混合气氛中退火后Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂铁电性的退化机理. 分别计算了无氢、含氢模型中Ti沿c轴位移时体系总能量的变化,电子云密度分布,以及电子结构的总能态密度的变化. 结果表明含氢Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂铁电相Ti-O,Bi-O间的电子云重叠布居分布较无氢情况下变化明显,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 关键词： 氮氢混合气氛退火 铁电性 4Ti₃O₁₂')" href="#">Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ 第一性原理     

Proton conductivity and ferroelectric phase transition in hydrogen-bonded ferroelectric NH4IO3

We report on the ac dielectric permittivity (ε) and the electric conductivity (σ_ω), as function of the temperature 300?K?T4IO₃. The main feature of our measured parameters is that, the compound undergoes a ferroelectric phase transition of an improper character, at (368?±?1)K from a high temperature paraelectric phase I (Pm2₁ b) to a low temperature ferroelectric phase II (Pc21n). The electric conduction seems to be protonic. The frequency dependent conductivity has a linear response following the universal power law (σ_{( ω )}?=?A(T)ω ^{s (T)}). The temperature dependence of the frequency exponent s suggests the existence of two types of conduction mechanisms.     

Ab-initio calculation of band structure and linear optical properties of SbSI in para- and ferroelectric phases

An ab-initio pseudopotential calculation has been performed by using density functional methods within the local density approximation (LDA) to investigate the band structure and optical properties of the ferroelectric-semiconductor SbSI in the para- and ferroelectric phases. It has been shown that SbSI has an indirect gap in both phases (1.45 eV and 1.49 eV in the para- and ferroelectric phases respectively) and that the smallest direct gap is at the S point of the Brillouin zone (1.56 eV and 1.58 eV in the para- and ferroelectric phases respectively). Furthermore, it is shown that first-order phase transition, from the paraelectric phase to the ferroelectric phase (the transiton temperature is about 22 °C), does not change the nature of the band gap. Moreover, the linear frequency dependent dielectric function, including self-energy effects, has been calculated along the c-polar axis in the para- and ferroelectric phases.