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Measuring Magnetically-Tuned Ferroelectric Polarization in Liquid Crystals
Published on: August 15, 2018
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Directionally tunable and mechanically deformable ferroelectric crystals from rotating polar globular ionic molecules
Jun Harada1,2, Takafumi Shimojo2, Hideaki Oyamaguchi2
1Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan.
Nature Chemistry
|September 23, 2016
Summary
Researchers developed novel plastic crystals exhibiting ferroelectricity by selecting specific polar ionic molecules. These unique molecular ferroelectrics offer tunable polarization and mechanical flexibility for diverse applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Solid-State Chemistry
- Crystallography
Background:
- Ferroelectric materials are crucial for memory, capacitors, and sensors.
- Molecular ferroelectrics offer advantages like solution processability and reduced toxicity over traditional ceramics.
- Plastic crystals, a class of molecular compounds, are explored for their unique properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate ferroelectricity in plastic crystals composed of polar ionic molecules.
- To explore the unique ferroelectric properties arising from plastic crystal characteristics.
- To assess the potential of these materials for advanced applications.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis and selection of specific polar ionic molecules for plastic crystal formation.
- Characterization of crystal structure and phase transitions.
- Electrical measurements to confirm ferroelectric behavior and polarization switching.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated ferroelectricity in a class of plastic crystals with judiciously chosen polar ionic molecules.
- Observed unique ferroelectric properties due to molecular rotation and phase transitions with lattice-symmetry changes.
- Showcased flexible alteration of polarization axis direction via electric field application.
Conclusions:
- Plastic crystals can be engineered to exhibit ferroelectricity, offering an alternative to ceramic ferroelectrics.
- The tunable polarization axis and mechanical deformability make these materials highly attractive.
- These molecular ferroelectrics hold promise for a wide range of innovative applications.
