Recent Progress in the Nanoscale Evaluation of Piezoelectric and Ferroelectric Properties via Scanning Probe Microscopy

Abstract

Piezoelectric and ferroelectric materials have garnered significant interest owing to their excellent physical properties and multiple potential applications. Accordingly, the need for evaluating piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties has also increased. The piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties are evaluated macroscopically using laser interferometers and polarization–electric field loop measurements. However, as the research focus is shifted from bulk to nanosized materials, scanning probe microscopy (SPM) techniques have been suggested as an alternative approach for evaluating piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties. In this Progress Report, the recent progress on the nanoscale evaluation of piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties of diverse materials using SPM‐based methods is summarized. Among the SPM techniques, the focus is on recent studies that are related to piezoresponse force microscopy and conductive atomic force microscopy; further, the utilization of these two modes to understand piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties at the nanoscale level is discussed. This work can provide guidelines for evaluating the piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties of materials based on SPM techniques.

Coexistence of magnetic and electric orderings in a divalent Cr2+-based multiaxial molecular ferroelectric

“…SS-PFM is typically performed at a fixed point by applying a pulse-type triangular bias voltage waveform. 52 The hysteresis amplitude and phase loops can be obtained by applying a probing ac voltage while the dc voltage is in the off state. Fig.…”

Nanoscale Ferroelectric Characterization with Heterodyne Megasonic Piezoresponse Force Microscopy

“…[ 2–5,6 ] In recent years, however, the extensive application of PFM has revealed a growing number of challenges and concerns about this technique and its interpretation, which is greatly challenging its validity in many ferroelectric studies recently. [ 6–13 ] Among these concerns, the signal source issue is pressingly pending to be addressed because the source of the signal is of fundamental importance for reaching correct interpretation of the PFM results. [ 6–8,13 ]…”

“…[ 6–13 ] Among these concerns, the signal source issue is pressingly pending to be addressed because the source of the signal is of fundamental importance for reaching correct interpretation of the PFM results. [ 6–8,13 ]…”

Phase Transition Effect on Ferroelectric Domain Surface Charge Dynamics in BaTiO3 Single Crystal

“…Thus, it is important to use direct imaging techniques to study the characteristics of domain structure [ 18 , 19 , 20 ]. Scanning probe microscopy (SPM), which allows the high-resolution and nondestructive imaging for domain structures and observation of their dynamic behaviors on the micro and nanoscale, has been used [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ]. The research of ferroelectric surface science using SPM has provided deep insight into the structure and dynamics of ferroelectrics [ 25 , 26 , 27 ].…”