Specific core-shell approaches and related properties in nanostructured ferroelectric ceramics

Abstract

Interfaces are a major issue when designing ferroelectric nanostructured materials with tailored properties. In a context of integration and multifunctionality in the field of electronics, several strategies have been developed to control the microstructure and defect chemistry of interfaces that strongly impact the macroscopic properties. The suitability of the core-shell approaches that allow a subtle tuning of interface phenomena at different scales has been widely demonstrated. We focus here on the flexibility of the core-shell approach devoted to the processing of nanostructured ferroelectric composites. Our strategy relies on the use of advanced synthesis processes to design ferroelectric grains coated with shells of different nature, morphology and crystallinity. Typical examples will be reviewed with a specific attention on their impact on both microstructure and dielectric properties. Our approach, based also on the use of fast sintering technique, provides a guidance to design 3D bulk nanostructured ferroelectrics while controlling and/or exploiting size, interface and defects chemistry. The contribution of specific spectroscopies to probe interfacial chemistry and defects is underlined. The high density of interfaces in core-shell materials is obviously an advantage to target additional functionality such as magneto-electric coupling. This is illustrated in 3D composites and one dimensional nanostructures that coaxially combine electric and magnetic materials. The core-shell approach described here could be transferred to a much broader range of materials covering many functionalities provided a deeper understanding of the interfaces at the atomic scale is achieved and a further development of low temperature processing is reached.