Abstract
We present the observation of the peculiar antiferroelectric (AFE)-like behavior, characterized by the polarization-electric field (P−E) double hysteresis loops and zero remnant polarization (Pr), in the ferroelectric (FE) Cr-doped YMnO3 (YMCO) single crystals. The AFE-like behavior in YMCO is in sharp contrast with the FE P−E single loop with high Pr in the undoped YMnO3 (YMO). The topological cloverleaf domains with ferroelectricity are observed in both YMO and YMCO. It is revealed unambiguously that the AFE-like behavior in YMCO arises from the Cr-substitution induced domain pattern transition from type-II with nonzero net macroscopic polarization to type-I with zero net polarization, as well as the recoverable type-I domain pattern after electric field sweeping. In addition, it is found that both the recoverable energy density and energy storage efficiency are significantly enhanced due to the AFE-like behavior in YMCO compared to YMO. Our results suggest for the first time that, in addition to the mechanism of the antiparallel arrangement of adjacent electric dipoles, the AFE-like behavior can be also achieved by domain engineering in a FE, which provides a possible new strategy to obtain high energy storage performance.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
