Weak Ferroelectricity in <i>n</i> = 2 Pseudo Ruddlesden–Popper-Type Niobate Li₂SrNb₂O₇

Li2SrNb2O7 (LSNO) crystallizes in a structure closely related to n = 2 Ruddlesden–Popper-type compounds, which are generally formed by intergrowth of two-dimensional perovskite-type blocks and rocksalt-type layers. The present study demonstrates the coexistence of spontaneous polarization and an anti-ferroelectric-like nonlinear response in LSNO at 80 K, suggesting weak ferroelectricity below the phase transition temperature of 217 K. A combination of first-principles calculations and single-crystal X-ray diffractions clarifies a polar P21cn structure for the ground state of LSNO, where an in-plane antiferroelectric displacement and an out-of-plane polar shift simultaneously take place. The present study offers a new perspective to design ferroelectric and antiferroelectric materials with Ruddlesden–Popper-type compounds

Fabrication and Thermoelectric Properties of Freestanding Ba_1/3CoO₂ Single-Crystalline Films

Thermoelectric energy conversion has attracted attention as an energy-harvesting technology for converting waste heat into electricity via the Seebeck effect. Conducting oxide-based thermoelectric materials that exhibit a high figure of merit are promising because of their good chemical and thermal stability as well as their harmless nature compared to chalcogenide-based state-of-the-art thermoelectric materials. Among many conducting oxides, Ba1/3CoO2 epitaxial films exhibit the highest figures of merit. For the practical use of Ba1/3CoO2, bulk ceramics or single-crystalline Ba1/3CoO2 is necessary. Here, we show that freestanding Ba1/3CoO2 single-crystalline films can be fabricated by peeling Ba1/3CoO2 epitaxial films from the substrate. We fabricated Ba1/3CoO2 epitaxial films and immersed them in 40 °C hot water for several tens of minutes. Subsequently, the Ba1/3CoO2 epitaxial film spontaneously peeled off and floated on the surface of the water like seaweed. We measured and analyzed the crystal structure, chemical composition, and thermoelectric properties before and after peeling and realized that there was no significant difference. The present results provide a useful method for fabricating freestanding single-crystalline oxide films for thermoelectrics