Strain-Driven Mixed-Phase Domain Architectures and Topological Transitions in Pb1−xSrxTiO3 Thin Films

Pravin Kavle, Jacob A. Zorn, Arvind Dasgupta, Bo Wang, Maya Ramesh, Long Qing Chen, Lane W. Martin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

The potential for creating hierarchical domain structures, or mixtures of energetically degenerate phases with distinct patterns that can be modified continually, in ferroelectric thin films offers a pathway to control their mesoscale structure beyond lattice-mismatch strain with a substrate. Here, it is demonstrated that varying the strontium content provides deterministic strain-driven control of hierarchical domain structures in Pb1−xSrxTiO3 solid-solution thin films wherein two types, c/a and a1/a2, of nanodomains can coexist. Combining phase-field simulations, epitaxial thin-film growth, detailed structural, domain, and physical-property characterization, it is observed that the system undergoes a gradual transformation (with increasing strontium content) from droplet-like a1/a2 domains in a c/a domain matrix, to a connected-labyrinth geometry of c/a domains, to a disconnected labyrinth structure of the same, and, finally, to droplet-like c/a domains in an a1/a2 domain matrix. A relationship between the different mixed-phase modulation patterns and its topological nature is established. Annealing the connected-labyrinth structure leads to domain coarsening forming distinctive regions of parallel c/a and a1/a2 domain stripes, offering additional design flexibility. Finally, it is found that the connected-labyrinth domain patterns exhibit the highest dielectric permittivity.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number2203469
JournalAdvanced Materials
Volume34
Issue number37
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 15 2022

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Materials Science(all)
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering

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