Interesting evidence for template-induced ferroelectric behavior in ultra-thin titanium dioxide films grown on (110) neodymium gallium oxide substrates
File(s)
Author(s)
Deepak, N
Caro, MA
Keeney, L
Pemble, ME
Whatmore, RW
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The first evidence for room-temperature ferroelectric behavior in anatase-phase titanium dioxide (a-TiO2) is reported. Behavior strongly indicative of ferroelectric characteristics is induced in ultra-thin (20 nm to 80 nm) biaxially-strained epitaxial films of a-TiO2 deposited by liquid injection chemical vapor deposition onto (110) neodymium gallium oxide (NGO) substrates. The films exhibit significant orthorhombic strain, as analyzed by X-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The films on NGO show a switchable dielectric spontaneous polarization when probed by piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM), the ability to retain polarization information written into the film using the PFM tip for extended periods (several hours) and at elevated temperatures (up to 100 °C) without significant loss, and the disappearance of the polarization at a temperature between 180 and 200 °C, indicative of a Curie temperature within this range. This combination of effects constitutes strong experimental evidence for ferroelectric behavior, which has not hitherto been reported in a-TiO2 and opens up the possibility for a range of new applications. A model is presented for the effects of large in-plane strains on the crystal structure of anatase which provides a possible explanation for the experimental observations.
Date Issued
2014-01-10
Date Acceptance
2013-10-16
Citation
Advanced Functional Materials, 2014, 24 (19), pp.2844-2851
ISSN
1616-301X
Publisher
Wiley
Start Page
2844
End Page
2851
Journal / Book Title
Advanced Functional Materials
Volume
24
Issue
19
Copyright Statement
© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim This is the accepted version of the following article: Deepak, N., Caro, M. A., Keeney, L., Pemble, M. E. and Whatmore, R. W. (2014), Interesting Evidence for Template-Induced Ferroelectric Behavior in Ultra-Thin Titanium Dioxide Films Grown on (110) Neodymium Gallium Oxide Substrates. Adv. Funct. Mater., 24: 2844–2851., which has been published in final form at https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/adfm.201302946
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Technology
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chemistry, Physical
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Physics, Applied
Physics, Condensed Matter
Chemistry
Science & Technology - Other Topics
Materials Science
Physics
CHEMISTRY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY
CHEMISTRY, PHYSICAL
MATERIALS SCIENCE, MULTIDISCIPLINARY
NANOSCIENCE & NANOTECHNOLOGY
PHYSICS, APPLIED
PHYSICS, CONDENSED MATTER
AUGMENTED-WAVE METHOD
BARIUM-TITANATE
TEMPERATURE
TRANSITION
LAYER
DEPOSITION
CRYSTAL
Publication Status
Published