Domain Dynamics in Piezoresponse Force Microscopy: Quantitative Deconvolution and Hysteresis Loop Fine Structure

Domain dynamics in the Piezoresponse Force Spectroscopy (PFS) experiment is studied using the combination of local hysteresis loop acquisition with simultaneous domain imaging. The analytical theory for PFS signal from domain of arbitrary cross-section is developed and used for the analysis of experimental data on Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 polycrystalline films. The results suggest formation of oblate domain at early stage of the domain nucleation and growth, consistent with efficient screening of depolarization field within the material. The fine structure of the hysteresis loop is shown to be related to the observed jumps in the domain geometry during domain wall propagation (nanoscale Barkhausen jumps), indicative of strong domain-defect interactions.Comment: 17 pages, 3 figures, 2 Appendices, to be submmited to Appl. Phys. Let

Imprint effect in PZT thin films at compositions around the morphotropic phase boundary

Piezoeresponse force microscopy (PFM) and local piezoresponse hysteresis loops were used to study the imprint effect in PbZr1-xTixO3 thin films at compositions around the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB). Schottky barriers and mechanical coupling between film-substrate were excluded as origin for the imprint in these films. Comparing the composition dependence of the effective d33 before poling with some reports in the literature, the existence of point defects such as complex vacancies (Vpb.., VO.. and Vpb..-VO..) and Ti3+ centers is discussed as probable origin for the imprint effect observed here. © 2016, © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

Abrupt appearance of the domain pattern and fatigue of thin ferroelectric films

We study the domain structure in ferroelectric thin films with a `passive' layer (material with damaged ferroelectric properties) at the interface between the film and electrodes within a continuous medium approximation. An abrupt transition from a monodomain to a polydomain state has been found with the increase of the `passive' layer thickness $d$. The domain width changes very quickly at the transition (exponentially with $d^{-2}$). We have estimated the dielectric response $dP/dE$ (the slope of the hysteresis loop) in the `fatigued' multidomain state and found that it is in agreement with experiment, assuming realistic parameters of the layer. We derive a simple universal relation for the dielectric response, which scales as $1/d$, involving only the properties of the passive layer. This relation qualitatively reproduces the evolution of the hysteresis loop in fatigued samples and it could be tested with controlled experiments. It is expected that the coercive field should increase with decreasing lateral size of the film. We believe that specific properties of the domain structure under bias voltage in ferroelectrics with a passive layer can resolve the long-standing `paradox of the coercive field'.Comment: 5 pages, REVTeX 3.1 with two eps-figures. Minor amendments. To appear in Phys. Rev. Letter

Local study of lithiation and degradation paths in LiMn2O4 battery cathodes via scanning probe microscopy and confocal raman microscopy

The work was financially supported by Russian Science Foundation (Grant 17-72-10144). The equipment of Ural Center for Shared Use “Modern Nanotechnology” Ural Federal University was used

Polymorphic phase transitions and ferroelectric properties in β-glycine single crystals and micro islands

The research was carried out using equipment of Ural Center for Shared Use "Modern Nanotechnologies" Ural Federal University with the financial support by the Government of the Russian Federation (Resolution 211, Contract 02.A03.21.0006). The reported study was funded by RFBR according to the research project № 18-32-00390

Thickness dependence of structure and piezoelectric properties at nanoscale of polycrystalline lead zirconate titanate thin films

Lead zirconate titanate Pb(Zr0.50Ti0.50)O-3 (PZT) thin films were deposited by a polymeric chemical method on Pt(111)/Ti/SiO2/Si substrates to understand the mechanisms of phase transformations and the effect of film thickness on the structure, dielectric, and piezoelectric properties in these films. PZT films pyrolyzed at temperatures higher than 350 degrees C present a coexistence of pyrochlore and perovskite phases, while only perovskite phase grows in films pyrolyzed at temperatures lower than 300 degrees C. For pyrochlore-free PZT thin films, a small (100)-orientation tendency near the film-substrate interface was observed. Finally, we demonstrate the existence of a self-polarization effect in the studied PZT thin films. The increase of self-polarization with the film thickness increasing from 200 nm to 710 nm suggests that Schottky barriers and/or mechanical coupling near the film-substrate interface are not primarily responsible for the observed self-polarization effect in our films. (C) 2013 AIP Publishing LL

Optical, Dielectric and Magnetic Properties of La1−xNdxFeO3 Powders and Ceramics

Nanocrystalline La1−xNdxFeO3 powders with different concentrations of Nd3+ have been synthesized using a modified Pechini method. Their structures were studied by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). Furthermore, La1−xNdxFeO3 nanoceramics were prepared using a high pressure sintering technique. The luminescence spectra of the powders were investigated as a function of concentration of active dopant to check the possible energy transfers observed due to Nd3+ concentration changes. The electrical and magnetic properties of the powders and ceramics were investigated to determine the effect of Nd3+ doping on the dielectric permittivity and magnetization in the wide frequency range. © 2018 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Funding: This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 778070—TransFerr—H2020-MSCA-RISE-2017. Part of the work was developed within the scope of the project CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007679 (FCT Ref. UID/CTM/50011/2013), financed by national funds through the FCT/MEC and when appropriate co-financed by FEDER under the PT2020 Partnership Agreement

Quantitative characterization of the ionic mobility and concentration in Li-battery cathodes via low frequency electrochemical strain microscopy

The work was financially supported by Russian Science Foundation (Grant 17-72-10144). The equipment of the Ural Center for Shared Use “Modern nanotechnol-ogy” UrFU was used