Structural and electronic transformation pathways in morphotropic BiFeO3

P. Sharma, Y. Heo, B. K. Jang, Y. Y. Liu, J. Y. Li, C. H. Yang, J. Seidel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Citations (Scopus)
33 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Phase boundaries in multiferroics, in which (anti-)ferromagnetic, ferroelectric and ferroelastic order parameters coexist, enable manipulation of magnetism and electronic properties by external electric fields through switching of the polarization in the material. It has been shown that the strain-driven morphotropic phase boundaries in a single-phase multiferroic such as BiFeO3 (BFO) can exhibit distinct electronic conductivity. However, the control of ferroelectric and phase switching and its correlation with phase boundary conductivity in this material has been a significant challenge. Supported by a thermodynamic approach, here we report a concept to precisely control different switching pathways and the associated control of electronic conductivity in mixed phase BFO. This work demonstrates a critical step to control and use non-volatile strain-conductivity coupling at the nanoscale. Beyond this observation, it provides a framework for exploring a route to control multiple order parameters coupled to ferroelastic and ferroelectric order in multiferroic materials.

Original languageEnglish
Article number32347
Number of pages10
JournalScientific Reports
Volume6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Electronic properties and materials

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