Tip-Induced In-Plane Ferroelectric Superstructure in Zigzag-Wrinkled BaTiO3Thin Films

Yuqing Zhou, Changqing Guo, Guohua Dong, Haixia Liu, Ziyao Zhou, Ben Niu, Di Wu, Tao Li, Houbing Huang, Ming Liu*, Tai Min

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The complex micro-/nanoscale wrinkle morphology primarily fabricated by elastic polymers is usually designed to realize unique functionalities in physiological, biochemical, bioelectric, and optoelectronic systems. In this work, we fabricated inorganic freestanding BaTiO3ferroelectric thin films with zigzag wrinkle morphology and successfully modulated the ferroelectric domains to form an in-plane (IP) superstructure with periodic surface charge distribution. Our piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) measurements and phase-field simulation demonstrate that the self-organized strain/stress field in the zigzag-wrinkled BaTiO3film generates a corresponding pristine domain structure. These domains can be switched by tip-induced strain gradient (flexoelectricity) and naturally form a robust and unique "braided" in-plane domain pattern, which enables us to offer an effective and convenient way to create a microscopic ferroelectric superstructure. The corresponding periodic surface potential distribution provides an extra degree of freedom in addition to the morphology that could regulate cells or polar molecules in physiological and bioelectric applications.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2859-2866
Number of pages8
JournalNano Letters
Volume22
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 13 Apr 2022

Keywords

  • domain engineering
  • ferroelectrics
  • flexoelectricity
  • piezoelectricity
  • zigzag wrinkle

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