Axial polarization switching in ferroelectricBaTiO3 nanowire

Abstract

We report the study of direct ferroelectric polarization switching of a single crystalBaTiO3 nanowire along its length axis. Polarization switching under axial dc bias, monitoredwith lateral mode piezoresponse force microscopy, was shown to be non-remnant.The result suggested the existence of a preferred polarization orientation inBaTiO3 nanowire, i.e., a polarization imprint, and was explained with a core–shellpolarization structure model. The polarization shell thickness was estimated to be∼10 nm for aBaTiO3 nanowire havinga thickness of ∼120 nm.