Novel Ferroic Materials with Functionally active Domain Walls
Lead Research Organisation:
University of St Andrews
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
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Organisations
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/N509759/1 | 30/09/2016 | 29/09/2021 | |||
| 1947532 | Studentship | EP/N509759/1 | 31/08/2017 | 25/08/2021 | Grant Howieson |
| Description | The material LaTaO4 is isostructural with other crystalline materials which have been proven to be ferroelectric but previous studies have failed to produce similar results in LaTaO4. Closer inspection of the electrical properties eluded to the existence of a different structure at room temperature than wheat is found in similar materials. The new found structure is confirmed to be 'incommensurately modulated', where the crystal structure has no long range periodicity. It has aslo been found that the stability of the aperiodic structure can be controlled by doping the material with different atoms. However, testing samples where the periodicity is restored still did not show a ferroelectric response, suggesting other structural properties play a role in preventing ferroelectric switching - such as the energy required for switching polarisation being too high. Work to improve conductivity in the region between ferroelectric domains in hexagonal tungsten bronze materials is also ongoing. The materials have so far been successfully doped with electrons but no evident improvement to domain wall conductivity has been seen. |
| Exploitation Route | LaTaO4 can now be added to a list of similar layered oxide perovskite structures which have aperiodic structures and more sensitive characterisation could be conducted to determine how the aperiodic structure modulates more accurately and explore the possible mechanisms which cause it. The discovery that the periodic structure still does not switch ferroelectrically rules out LaTaO4 for device applications. Work on hexagonal tungsten bronze materials with improved domain wall conduction is ongoing, but if successful could be explored as useful materials in nanoelectronics. |
| Sectors | Chemicals Electronics Energy Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology |
| Description | Ferroelectric Workshop / Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Knowledge exchange and opportunity to arrange collaborations, involving international experts in the field. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018,2019,2020 |