Persistence of ferroelectricity above the Curie temperature at the surface of Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O312%PbTiO3

N. Domingo, N. Bagués, J. Santiso, and G. Catalan
Phys. Rev. B 91, 094111 – Published 26 March 2015

Abstract

Relaxor-based ferroelectrics have been known for decades to possess a relatively thick surface layer (“skin”) that is distinct from its interior. Yet while there is consensus about its existence, there are controversies about its symmetry, phase stability, and origin. In an attempt to clarify these issues, we have examined the surface layer of PZN-12%PT. While the bulk transitions from a ferroelastically twinned tetragonal ferroelectric state with in-plane polarization to a cubic paraphase at Tc=200C, the skin layer shows a robust labyrinthine nanodomain structure with out-of-plane polarization that persists hundreds of degrees above the bulk Curie temperature. Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy analysis shows that the resilience of the skin's polarization is correlated with a compositional imbalance: lead vacancies at the surface are charge-compensated by niobium enrichment; the excess of Nb5+—a small ion with d0 orbital occupancy—stabilizes the ferroelectricity of the skin layer.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 21 July 2014
  • Revised 17 December 2014

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.91.094111

©2015 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

N. Domingo1, N. Bagués1,2, J. Santiso1,2, and G. Catalan1,3,*

  • 1ICN2 - Institut Catala de Nanociencia i Nanotecnologia, Campus UAB, 08193 Bellaterra (Barcelona), Spain
  • 2CSIC - Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, ICN2 Building, 08193 Bellaterra (Barcelona), Spain
  • 3ICREA - Institucio Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, 08010 Barcelona, Spain

  • *gustau.catalan@cin2.es

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 91, Iss. 9 — 1 March 2015

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review B

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×