Anisotropic dislocation-domain wall interactions in ferroelectrics.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 36335109.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1038/s41467-022-34304-7 and PMC identifier 9637100.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
Dislocations are usually expected to degrade electrical, thermal and optical functionality and to tune mechanical properties of materials. Here, we demonstrate a general framework for the control of dislocation-domain wall interactions in ferroics, employing an imprinted dislocation network. Anisotropic dielectric and electromechanical properties are engineered in barium titanate crystals via well-controlled line-plane relationships, culminating in extraordinary and stable large-signal dielectric permittivity (≈23100) and piezoelectric coefficient (≈2470 pm V-1). In contrast, a related increase in properties utilizing point-plane relation prompts a dramatic cyclic degradation. Observed dielectric and piezoelectric properties are rationalized using transmission electron microscopy and time- and cycle-dependent nuclear magnetic resonance paired with X-ray diffraction. Succinct mechanistic understanding is provided by phase-field simulations and driving force calculations of the described dislocation-domain wall interactions. Our 1D-2D defect approach offers a fertile ground for tailoring functionality in a wide range of functional material systems.