Role of the Iodide–Methylammonium Interaction in the Ferroelectricity of CH3NH3PbI3

Excellent conversion efficiencies of over 20 % and facile cell production have placed hybrid perovskites at the forefront of novel solar cell materials, with CH₃NH₃PbI₃ being an archetypal compound. The question why CH₃NH₃PbI₃ has such extraordinary characteristics, particularly a very efficient power conversion from absorbed light to electrical power, is hotly debated, with ferroelectricity being a promising candidate. This does, however, require the crystal structure to be non‐centrosymmetric and we herein present crystallographic evidence as to how the symmetry breaking occurs on a crystallographic and, therefore, long‐range level. Although the molecular cation CH₃NH₃⁺ is intrinsically polar, it is heavily disordered and this cannot be the sole reason for the ferroelectricity. We show that it, nonetheless, plays an important role, as it distorts the neighboring iodide positions from their centrosymmetric positions.     

Review of ferroelectric hydroxyapatite and its application to biomedicine*

ABSTRACT

Hydroxyapatite (HA) is a major component of bone in humans and animals. Until about 10 years ago, it was considered to have a centrosymmetric crystal structure and could not contribute to the well-known piezoelectric effect in bone. This review describes the theoretical and experimental studies that showed that HA does have a non-centrosymmetric structure. Recent experiments have shown that HA exhibits piezoelectricity, pyroelectricity, and ferroelectricity. It has been made in the form of thick films and as space-charge electrets. It has an important biomedical application as an implant for bone cell attachment and growth.     

Room-temperature vertical ferroelectricity in rhenium diselenide induced by interlayer sliding

One variety of ferroelectricity that results from lateral relative movements between the adjacent atomic layers is referred to as sliding ferroelectricity, which generates an interfacial charge transfer and hence a polarization reversal. The mechanism of sliding ferroelectricity existent in van der Waals crystals is quite distinct from the conventional ferroelectric switching mechanisms mediated by ion displacement. It creates new possibilities for the design of two-dimensional (2D) ferroelectrics since it can be achieved even in non-polar systems. Before 2D ferroelectrics can be widely employed for practical implementations, however, there is still significant work to be done on several fronts, such as exploring ferroelectricity possibly in more potential 2D systems. Here, we report the experimental observation of room-temperature robust vertical ferroelectricity in layered semiconducting rhenium diselenide (ReSe₂), a representative member of the transition metal dichalcogenides material family, based on a combined research of nanoscale piezoresponse and second harmonic generation measurements. While no such ferroelectric behavior was seen in 1L ReSe₂, 2L ReSe₂ exhibits vertical ferroelectricity at ambient environment. Based on density-functional theory calculations, we deduce that the microscopic origin of ferroelectricity for ReSe₂ is uncompensated vertical charge transfer that is dependent on in-plane translation and switchable upon interlayer sliding. Our findings have important ramifications for the ongoing development of sliding ferroelectricity since the semiconducting properties and low switching barrier of ReSe₂ open up the fascinating potential for functional nanoelectronics applications.     

Solvent‐Dependent Delamination,Restacking, and Ferroelectric Behavior in a New Charge‐Separated Layered Compound: [NH4][Ag3(C9H5NO4S)2(C13H14N2)2]⋅8 H2O

A new anionic coordination polymer, [NH₄][Ag₃(C₉H₅NO₄S)₂(C₁₃H₁₄N₂)₂] ⋅ 8 H₂O, with a two‐dimensional structure, has been synthesized by a reaction between silver nitrate, 8‐hydroxyquinoline‐5‐sulfonic acid (HQS), and 4,4′‐trimethylene dipyridine (TMDP). The compound stabilizes in a noncentrosymmetric space group, and the lattice water molecules and the charge‐compensating [NH₄]⁺ group occupy the inter‐lamellar spaces. The lattice water molecules can be fully removed and reinserted, which is accompanied by a crystalline–amorphous–crystalline transformation. This transformation resembles the collapse/delamination and restacking of the layers. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first observation of delamination and restacking in an inorganic coordination polymer that contains silver. The presence of a natural dipole (the anionic framework and cationic ammonium ions) along with the noncentrosymmetric space group gives rise to the room‐temperature ferroelectric behavior of the compound. The ferroelectric behavior is also water‐dependent and exhibits a ferroelectric–paraelectric transformation. The temperature‐dependent dielectric measurements indicate that the ferroelectric/ paraelectric transformation occurs at 320 K. This transformation has also been investigated by using in‐situ IR spectroscopy and PXRD studies. The second‐harmonic generation (SHG) study indicated values that are comparable to some of the known SHG solids, such as potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) and urea.     

The effect of some transition metal oxides on the physical properties of K0.5Na0.5Nb0.95Ta0.05O3 ceramics

Abstract

Both K_0.5Na_0.5Nb_0.95Ta_0.05O₃ (KNNTO) and (K_0.5Na_0.5Nb_0.95Ta_0.05O₃)_0.99-M_0.01, M = Co₃O₄ and Mn₂O₃ (M/KNNTO) Ferromagnetic behaviour was observed for some M/KNNTO compounds. The hardness and compressive strength of all investigated samples are given. Comparisons with similar materials are discussed. Ceramics were synthesised using a solid-state reaction method. X-ray diffraction patterns of all samples revealed that the crystal structure is orthorhombic. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy was performed. Polarisation hysteresis curves indicated a disruption of ferroelectric order with the addition of M into KNNTO ceramics. The dielectric properties of the investigated ceramics have been studied as a function of frequency and temperature.     

Covariant hysteretic constitutive theory for Maxwell’s equations: application to axially rotating media

This paper explores a class of non-linear constitutive relations for materials with memory in the framework of covariant macroscopic Maxwell theory. Based on earlier models for the response of hysteretic ferromagnetic materials to prescribed slowly varying magnetic background fields, generalized models are explored that are applicable to accelerating hysteretic magneto-electric substances coupled self-consistently to Maxwell fields. Using a parameterized model consistent with experimental data for a particular material that exhibits purely ferroelectric hysteresis when at rest in a slowly varying electric field, a constitutive model is constructed that permits a numerical analysis of its response to a driven harmonic electromagnetic field in a rectangular cavity. This response is then contrasted with its predicted response when set in uniform rotary motion in the cavity.     

Polymer nanocomposites for electrical energy storage

This review highlights the frontier scientific research in the development of polymer nanocomposites for electrical energy storage applications. Considerable progress has been made over the past several years in the enhancement of the energy densities of the polymer nanocomposites via tuning the chemical structures of ceramic fillers and polymer matrix and engineering the polymer–ceramic interfaces. This article summarizes a range of current approaches to dielectric polymer nanocomposites, including the ferroelectric polymer matrix, increase of the dielectric permittivity using high‐permittivity ceramic fillers and conductive dopants, preparation of uniform composite films based on surface‐functionalized fillers, and utilization of the interfacial coupling effect. Primary attentions have been paid to the dielectric properties at different electric fields and their correlation with film morphology, chemical structure, and filler concentration. This article concludes with a discussion of scientific issues that remain to be addressed as well as recommendations for future research. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 49: 1421–1429, 2011     

Ruddlesden-Popper结构杂化非本征铁电体及其多铁性

正杂化非本征铁电性是指在具有钙钛矿结构单元的金属氧化物中由氧八面体面内旋转和面外倾侧耦合诱导出的二阶铁电序,其有望在室温强磁电耦合多铁性材料中获得重要应用,并将极大地拓展铁电体物理学的内涵和外延.本文在阐述杂化非本征铁电性物理起源及其内禀电控磁性的基础上,总结了有关Ruddlesden-Popper结构杂化非本征铁电体及多铁性的主要研究进展与面临的挑战,并展望了发展方向.     

Ho掺杂的BiFeO_3多铁陶瓷的制备及性能

用固相反应和快速退火冷却法制备了纯的BiFeO_3(BFO)陶瓷和15%Ho掺杂的Bi_(0.85)Ho_(0.15)FeO_3(BHFO)陶瓷,研究了室温下陶瓷的品格结构及其铁电、介电、漏电和磁性能.结果表明,Ho掺杂有助于减少BiFeO_3陶瓷中的杂相,改善其铁电、介电、漏电和磁性能.与BFO陶瓷相比,BHFO陶瓷具有典型的电滞回线;当电场强度为1 50 kV/cm时,其2Pr(剩余极化值)为15 μC/cm~2.同时,BHFO具有比BFO显著增大的介电常数和明显降低的介电损耗.磁性能测试表明,BHFO陶瓷表现出弱的铁磁性.     

A collection of 505 papers on false or unconfirmed ferroelectric properties in single crystals,ceramics and polymers

This collection presents 505 papers on ferroelectricity in single crystals, ceramics and polymers in which pointed or elliptical hysteresis loops would testify to their ferroelectric properties. In some papers, the authors ensure that ferroelectricity can occur even in materials that do not have a polar axis of symmetry.