Ferroelectric-based nanocomposites: Toward multifunctional materials

Nanoparticle technologies open the routes for nanostructured materials which combine individual physical properties or generate new functions. In the field of ferroelectric materials the development of dense nanocomposites requires breakthroughs in the elaboration step. Here, we propose a flexible process to obtain ferroelectric-magnetic nanostructured materials using the assembly of superparamagnetic nanoparticles around ferroelectric cores. The appropriate shaping and sintering of these nanocomposites called nanoraspberries enables a tuning of the physical properties of the resulting dense composite: coexistence between ferroelectricity, piezoelectricity, and superparamagnetism is clearly evidenced at room temperature. This strategy has been also extended to metallic nanoparticles surrounding ferroelectric cores. Our approach combining nanotechnology and solid-state chemistry opens the way to the building of innovative materials for integration and multifunctionality. These are two key points in multidisciplinary fields of applications such as electronics, telecommunications, optics, biomedical, and environment.