Dislocation-induced large local polarization inhomogeneity of ferroelectric materials

Dislocations in ferroelectrics play important roles in ferroelectricity, piezoelectricity, and dielectricity. However, the intrinsic charge-lattice coupling mechanism in ferroelectric crystals containing dislocations is still not well understood. Here, we report a large local polarization inhomogeneity of similar to 100 mu Ccm(-2) induced by a single a[001] dislocation in the PbZr0.2Ti0.8O3/SrTiO3 film/substrate heterostructure, the tensile region (similar to 120 mu Ccm(-2)) and the compressive strain region (similar to 21 mu Ccm(-2)) around the dislocation forms a butterfly-like area. This study reveals the dramatic effects of dislocations on local polarization and provides a strategy to manipulate the polarization magnitude and orientation of local polarization by defect engineering. (C) 2020 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study reveals the significant impact of dislocations on local polarization, forming local polarization inhomogeneity, and provides a strategy to manipulate the magnitude and orientation of local polarization through defect engineering.