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Published on: May 15, 2017
Water-Triggered Domino-Like Phase Transition in a Molecular Ferroelectric
Chen-Kai Yang1, Yong Ai1, Xian-Jiang Song1
1Ordered Matter Science Research Center, Nanchang University, Nanchang, P. R. China.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|June 19, 2026
Summary
Water triggers a domino-like phase transition in a hybrid copper halide, enabling non-thermal access to a room-temperature polar molecular ferroelectric. This process involves water-induced surface changes that propagate into the bulk material.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Solid-State Chemistry
- Crystallography
Background:
- Domino-like phase transitions are effective for propagating structural changes via local stimuli.
- Coupling these transitions with ferroelectricity in molecular materials remains a challenge.
- Conventional thermal pathways often limit access to desired polar phases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of water in inducing phase transitions in hybrid copper halides.
- To achieve non-thermal access to polar molecular ferroelectrics.
- To establish a mechanism for coupling domino-like transitions with ferroelectricity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized hybrid copper halide Gua3Cu2I5 for studying phase transitions.
- Employed water as a stimulus to induce surface solid-liquid-solid conversion.
- Observed interface-propagated domino-like transformations using real-time luminescence contrast.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated water-enabled domino-like phase transition in Gua3Cu2I5.
- Showcased non-thermal access to a polar ferroelectric phase (α phase) from a non-polar phase (β phase).
- Confirmed robust, switchable ferroelectric polarization at room temperature.
Conclusions:
- Water acts as an active mediator, not a passive environment, in driving phase transitions.
- Established a novel pathway for accessing polar phases beyond thermal equilibrium.
- Provided a framework for integrating domino-like transitions with ferroelectric properties in molecular systems.
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