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Title: Nanoscale analysis of dispersive ferroelectric domains in bulk of hexagonal multiferroic ceramics

Journal Article · · Materials Characterization
;  [1];
  1. Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society, Faradayweg 4-6, Berlin (Germany)

Highlights: • Aberration corrected STEM is used to link ferroelectric properties of vacancy doped multiferroic LuMnO3 ceramics to lattice defects. • Nano-scale perturbation in lattice or chemistry provokes polarization switching or phase shift of ferroelectric domains. • Partial edge dislocations modify rule of 6 in topologically protected 6-fold vortices in hexagonal RMnO3 ceramics. • Chemistry shift/lattice distortions modify ferroelectric properties, domain size and polarization switching in multiferroic. • Change in ferroelectric properties results in modification of magnetic properties in magnetoelectric h-RMnO3 multiferroic. - Abstract: The atomic nature of topologically protected ferroelectric (FE) walls in hexagonal ReMnO{sub 3} oxides (R: Sc, Y, Er, Ho, Yb, Lu) creates an interesting playground to study effects of defects on domain walls. The 6-fold FE vortices in this multiferroic family lose the ordering by the rule of 6 in the presence of partial edge dislocations (PED) besides it can be modified by chemical doping. Therefore, it is essential to comprehend the cross coupling of FE walls and defects or vacancies in the lattice of multiferroics. Atomic resolution STEM is used to explore the correlative response of electrical polarization of FE domains in the presence of defects in multiferroic ceramics. Such level of resolution also allows the study of switching of FE domains on encounter of lattice defects. The driving force behind appearance of dispersed, small FE domains in images of piezo force microscopy is revealed by observation of lattice defects and FE boundaries simultaneously at the nano-scale. Planar defects and FE domain walls play their role of internal interfaces consequently such interplaying duly modifies the magnetic and FE properties of multiferroic oxides.

OSTI ID:
22805849
Journal Information:
Materials Characterization, Vol. 145; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2017 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1044-5803
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English