Paraelectric Phase Transition Research Articles

Cu2+ and W6+ co-doped Na0·5Bi0·5TiO3 solid solution: An effective approach to inhibit oxygen vacancy generation and suppress oxygen ion conduction

Thanks to its outstanding features, the Na0·5Bi0·5TiO3 is a promising as a dielectric material for various advanced electronic devices. However, its high oxygen ionic conductivity and wide band-gap energy pose limitations on its suitability for commercial applications. In this work, an approach to inhibit oxygen vacancy generation and suppress oxygen ion conduction is investigated through the B-site donor and acceptor doping strategy. This study aims to investigate the morphological, structural, compositional, dielectric, electric, and optical properties of 0.99NBT-0.01BCW and 0.985NBT-0.015BCW perovskite ceramics. The research also explores the impact of Cu2+ and W6+ substitution on the perovskite structure and its potential applications. Morphological analysis revealed well-defined grains with cubic shapes, influenced by Cu2+ and W6+ incorporation. Structural analysis confirmed a rhombohedral lattice with R3c space group. Dielectric analysis showed ferroelectric to antiferroelectric and antiferroelectric to paraelectric phase transitions, with emphasis on relaxor behavior influenced by BCW doping. Electric analysis demonstrated a semiconductor behavior with activation energies, suggesting inhibited conduction loss at high temperatures due to BCW doping. Optical analysis revealed direct bandgap energies suitable for applications in optoelectronics and photonics. These findings suggest that doping with Cu2+ and W6+ restrains conduction losses at elevated temperatures, potentially serving as the primary mechanism for suppressing the high-temperature dielectric loss in NBT-based ceramics. They highlight the potential of these perovskite ceramics in applications such as capacitors, sensors, and optoelectronic devices.

Multiple relaxation mechanisms in SrBi2Nb2O9 ceramic tweaked by tin and samarium incorporation in assistance with single-step microwave sintering

Non-stoichiometric lead free polycrystalline Sr0.8Sn0.2Bi1.75Sm0.25Nb2O9 (SSBSN) ferroelectric ceramics were synthesized through conventional solid step route method by incorporating ball milling and microwave sintering method. X-ray diffraction along with the Rietveld refinement technique confirms the single-phase orthorhombic structure with A21 crystal symmetry. Additionally, the short-range ordering was confirmed by Raman spectroscopy. Doping induced crystallite size and strain were further calculated from the Williamson-Hall plot, which comes around 150 nm and 1.48 × 10–3 respectively. A plate like morphology with an average grain size of 0.41 μm was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A diffuse type ferroelectric to paraelectric phase transition was recorded at 395 °C, mostly arising due to structural heterogeneity at the inter-ferroelectric phase boundary. The temperature and frequency-dependent dielectric measurement of SSBSN ceramic reveal a Maxwell–Wagner relaxation, with prominent dielectric loss in a low frequency regime perhaps due to the generation of leakage current in the SSBSN system. Frequency dependent ac conductivity indicates the polaron assisted hopping mechanism in SSBSN, which further obeys Jonscher’s formulation. The intra and intergranular contributions to impedance in SSBSN ceramics were probed by the complex impedance spectroscopy (CIS) technique. A non-Debye type relaxation mechanism in SSBSN ceramics was indicated by the Cole–Cole plot, whereas the conduction mechanism and transport properties were briefly studied using modulus spectroscopy.

The role of Ca/Zr ratio on the local structure and phase transitions in lead-free (Ba,Ca)(Zr,Ti)O3

In this study, the structural phase transitions are investigated as a function of composition and temperature for polycrystalline x(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3-(1 − x)Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3 (x = 0.40, 0.45, 0.50, 0.55, and 0.60) through a combination of Raman spectroscopy, synchrotron X-ray diffraction, and dielectric spectroscopy. The aim is to gain insight into the complex phase boundary region responsible for the excellent electromechanical properties. The results demonstrate the correlation between local site substitutions based on the stoichiometric variations to the microstructure and dielectric properties. The dielectric response has been correlated with the BCT/BZT content displaying a maximum depending on the phase content. Additionally, in situ temperature-dependent Raman, permittivity, and pair distribution function (PDF) studies were performed from −60 °C to 130 °C to highlight the structure and phase evolution. In particular, the in situ temperature-dependent Raman measurements reveal sudden discontinuities in the vibrational modes that correspond to the structural changes in the perovskite structure. Therefore, the results of the permittivity response, based on the average of a large volume, are consistent with the local structural changes obtained by other techniques. Indeed, correlations of Raman, X-ray diffraction, and PDFs obtained from synchrotron X-ray total scattering data, along with permittivity measurements allowed the identification of the discrete ferro- to paraelectric phase transitions and a more robust characterization. The rotation and distortion of the octahedral caused by oxygen displacement are driving forces behind symmetry changes and phase transitions, explaining the mechanism of polymorphic phase transition based on A- and B-site substitution. Therefore, this work provides a comprehensive understanding of temperature and composition-dependent phase transitions in BCZT.

Structural changes in Rochelle salt on phase transitions revisited in a multi-temperature single-crystal X-ray diffraction study.

Phase transitions in Rochelle salt [sodium potassium L(+)-tartrate tetrahydrate] are revisited in a single-crystal X-ray diffraction multi-temperature study on cooling from 308 to 100 K across the high-temperature paraelectric (PE) ↔ ferroelectric ↔ low-temperature PE phase transition points. The results of structure refinement using three different models (a harmonic with and without disorder, and an anharmonic) were compared. The temperature dependencies of anisotropic displacement parameters (ADPs) and Ueq, which can be calculated directly from ADPs, for the low-temperature PE phase indicate clearly the dynamic nature of disorder of the K1 atoms. The structures of the low-temperature and the high-temperature PE phases are compared for the first time at multiple temperatures for each phase based on diffraction data collected from the same single crystal. The data indicate that the high-temperature and the low-temperature paraelectric phases are probably not two different phases, as was assumed in earlier works, but are structurally the same phase at different temperatures.

Experimental and theoretical study of Gd2O3 added pseudo-tetragonal Bi3TaTiO9-based ceramics for ferroelectric, electric and high-temperature piezoelectric applications

The present global energy crisis, along with the development of modern technologies, has compelled the scientists to search for smart materials, which possess the multifunctional properties simultaneously. Among such materials, bismuth-layered structure ferroelectrics (BLSFs) containing a perovskite structure have demonstrated the tendency to play a vital role. Herein, we report an engineered Gd2O3 added Bi3TiTa0·5Nb0·5O9 (BTTN) based material with composition Bi3TiTa0·5Nb0·5O9:xwt%Gd2O3 (BTTN:xGd) with x = 0–0.20 ceramics to investigate the ferroelectric, electric, piezoelectric and dielectric properties of the material. Highly dense (relative density of ∼96%) BTTN:0.15Gd has shown the best merits among all other compositions with improved remnant polarization (Pr ∼ 7.86 μC/cm2), energy conversion efficiency (ƞ) of ∼63.48%, resistance of ∼2.2 × 1010 Ω and high piezoelectric co-efficient (d33 ∼ 25 pC/N) at room temperature, which are much improved than pure BTTO or BTTN ceramics. Nonetheless, ceramic has shown the stable resistivity of ∼104 Ω at 500 °C, with a stable d33 value of 22 pC/N (just 12% drop) after annealing at 600 °C. The ferroelectric to paraelectric phase transition of ceramic with the highest dielectric constant is reported at Curie temperature (TC) of 859 °C. Additionally, Density-Functional-Theory (DFT) and Density-Functional-Perturbation-Theory (DFPT) measurements are performed by employing generalized gradient approximation using the Quantum-ESPRESSO code. Structural, ferroelectric and electronic properties of BTTO, BTTN and Gd-added BTTN compounds are investigated. The calculated formation energies confirmed the thermodynamic stability of pseudo-tetragonal Gd-added BTTN compounds. Using the Berry-phase approach for piezoelectric materials, the calculated maximum polarization is 54.00 μC/cm2, which is in agreement with values obtained experimentally. Mentioned outcomes of the material clearly represent the potential of the BTTN:0.15Gd ceramic for the utilization in high-temperature piezoelectric devices.

Structural and electrical characteristics of manganese modified BaTiO3 ceramic

The material Ba(Ti0.5Mn0.5)O3 synthesized through the conventional solid-state reaction method has hexagonal structure free from any impurity phase. The complex dielectric dispersion, temperature and frequency-dependent dielectric, impedance, AC conductivity, and leakage behavior of the sample are studied. The impedance study of the material encloses non-Debye type relaxation, negative temperature coefficient of resistance nature and the grain and grain boundary effects. The ferroelectric to paraelectric phase transition occurs at T C ∼ 270 °C. The dielectric constant and loss-tangent values are found to be less as compared to that of the parent barium titanate sample. R g < R gb, that is, grain boundary has greater opposition than the grain region. The material follows correlated barrier hopping model. The carrier transport process through AC conductivity study obeys the Jonscher’s power law and the Arrhenius relation while varying with the frequency and temperature.

Effect of A-site cobalt doping on the structural, micro-structural and dielectric properties of (Ba1-xCox)(Ti0.95Zr0.05)O3 lead-free ceramics

Cobalt-doped barium zirconate titanate ceramics with (Ba1-xCox)(Ti0.95Zr0.05)O3 with (x = 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 %) were synthesized by sol-gel process. The effects of Ba/Co ratio on structural, micro-structure properties and dielectric response were investigated by varying the value of x. X-ray diffraction analysis and the Rietveld refinement method revealed that the ceramics have a single phase with a tetragonal structure of the P4mm space group. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to examine the texture, morphology and microstructure of the (Ba1-xCox)(Ti0.95Zr0.05)O3 ceramics. The analysis showed a decrease in average grain size as the concentration of Co2+ ions in the crystal structure increased. A study of the impedance spectroscopy of the dielectric measurements was carried out in a temperature range from room temperature to 200 °C, and revealed that the ferroelectric to paraelectric phase transition temperature decreases proportionally with increasing cobalt concentration, confirming the incorporation of Co2+ and highlighting its influence on the Curie temperature (Tc), the value of the permittivity (εr) and dielectric losses (tanδ). The Curie-Weiss law was used to study the nature of the transition, revealing that diffusivity increases in correlation with the Co2+ ion concentration.

Finite-temperature properties of PbTiO3 by molecular dynamics simulations

PbTiO 3 is a prototypical ferroelectric perovskite that is known to undergo a temperature driven ferroelectric tetragonal to paraelectric cubic phase transition, but the understanding of some key phenomena and associated mechanisms underlying this transition remains unclear. Here, using molecular dynamics simulations based on first-principles effective Hamiltonian, we show the behaviors of the phase transition temperature Tc and adiabatic temperature change ΔT of PbTiO3 under an external electric field and tensile stress along the [001] direction. Our results show that the electric field E induces rising Tc via a linear relationTc∝ 0.3083E, rendering the phase transition to go from first-order with thermal hysteresis to second-order without thermal hysteresis above ∼200 kV/cm; meanwhile, a maximum electrocaloric response ΔTmax∼34 K is obtained under E=500 kV/cm. Moreover, external stress (σz) causes rising Tc via a linear relationTc∝160σz and improves the electrocaloric response ΔTmax when combined with the electric field. The present results offer insights into the physical processes and mechanisms that dictate finite-temperature properties of ferroelectric perovskite oxides, laying a foundation for further exploration of this intriguing class of materials.

The electrocaloric effect of lead-free Ba1−yCayTi1−xHfxO3 from direct and indirect measurements

We report on the dielectric and electrocaloric properties of Ba1−yCayTi1−xHfxO3 for compositions 0.12 &amp;lt; x &amp;lt; 0.18 and y = 0.06, as well as x = 0.15 and 0 &amp;lt; y &amp;lt; 0.15, synthesized by the conventional solid-state reaction method. The addition of Hf/Ca broadens the ferroelectric-paraelectric phase transition while moving it toward room temperature. Two interferroelectric transitions are seen to converge, together with the ferroelectric–paraelectric phase transition, at ∼335 K for 0.12 &amp;lt; xc &amp;lt; 0.135 and y = 0.06. Consistent with the dielectric properties, the electrocaloric effect maximizes closer to room temperature with increasing Hf/Ca substitutions, which promote larger temperature spans. The electrocaloric responsivity gradually decreases from 0.2 to 0.1 K mm kV−1 with the addition of Hf/Ca. A homemade quasi-adiabatic calorimeter is employed to measure “directly” the electrocaloric data, which are also calculated from polarization-versus-electric-field cycles using “indirect” standard procedures. The comparison between measured and calculated values highlights the importance of having access to direct methods for a reliable determination of the electrocaloric effect.

Engineering room temperature multiferroicity and temperature dependent dielectric properties of Cr doped BaTiO3 ceramics

The coexistence of ferroelectricity, ferromagnetism, and piezoelectricity at room temperature in BaTi1-xCrxO3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.06) nanostructures is interesting and leads to the multiferroic nature of system. Sol-gel auto-combustion technique has been used for the synthesis of nanostructures. The XRD patterns along with Rietveld refinement analysis, confirm that the samples possess parent tetragonal perovskite structure in the P4mm space group. The oxygen vacancies stoichiometry ratio was estimated through XPS studies. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirms the large grain size in the doped sample. The study of leakage current density reveals an increase in its value with the increase in Cr content due to defects induced in the system. P-E measurements confirm the ferroelectric nature of the samples that diminishes in the doped samples due to the high leakage current. Moreover, the estimated value of energy efficiency (η) was found to be maximum for the undoped sample. The undoped BaTiO3 has a diamagnetic character that is partially altered into weak ferromagnetic under the Cr-doping at the expense of decreasing polarization parameters. The temperature-dependent dielectric constant shows all characteristics of phase transitions in the samples. The doping of Cr enhances the ferroelectric to paraelectric phase transition temperature (Tc). The piezoelectricity remains preserved in the doped samples. Thus, the coexistence of ferroelectricity, ferromagnetism, and piezoelectricity at room temperature finalizes the multiferroic nature of the synthesized samples.

Emission Dipole and Pressure‐Driven Tunability of Second Harmonic Generation in vdWs Ferroelectric NbOI2

Abstract2D in‐plane ferroelectric NbOI2 exhibits strong second harmonic generation (SHG) and ultrahigh effective susceptibility. To push forward their applications in nonlinear photonics and optoelectronics, it is highly desirable to understand the emission dipole orientation and tunability of SHG, which is not achieved. Here, by integrating tight focusing from parabolic mirror with back focal plane (BFP) imaging technique, for the first time it is demonstrated that SHG emission of NbOI2 presents purely in‐plane dipole orientation in consistent with numerical simulations, suggesting the in‐plane components of the SHG susceptibility tensor in NbOI2 dominate the emission. Moreover, with the aid of ab‐initio calculations, it is found that the hydrostatic pressure can dramatically change the structure and resultant SHG intensity of NbOI2. Explicitly, SHG intensity endures a slight increase due to the distortion of octahedral at low pressure pressure, and then monotonously decreases due to the improvement of structural symmetry with further increasing pressure, and drastically quenching resulting from the ferroelectric to paraelectric phase transition. This work unambiguously demonstrates the dipole emission behavior of SHG and the relationship between structural evolution and SHG intensity, which provides an avenue for tunable nonlinear optics and optoelectronics.

Unveiling the coupling effect of strain behavior and electro-optic property in nanodisordered KTN crystal

High-performance electro-optic (EO) crystals play a key role in optical communication and information processing. Potassium tantalate niobate (KTa1−xNbxO3, KTN) crystals advantageously have an ultrahigh quadratic electro-optic (QEO) coefficient and a wide transparency range, and their excellent QEO properties are closely related to polar nanoregion (PNR)-related polar units. Owing to the PNR-related polar units, KTN crystals have excellent strain properties, which makes them a potential multifunctional material. However, the relationship between strain behavior and QEO properties in nanodisordered KTN crystals has rarely been reported. The promotion of EO activity by regulating the PNRs-related polar units still needs to be studied. Here, we study the coupling effect of strain behavior and QEO properties in KTN crystals. The QEO, elastic-optic, electrostrictive, and elastic coefficients of KTN crystals are characterized, and the strain–QEO property coupling relation is established. The results show that the strain-induced QEO response significantly affects the QEO properties. The existence and response of PNRs near ferroelectric–paraelectric phase transition are demonstrated by variable-temperature x-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. Combined with the heating and cooling QEO response time tests, the response of PNRs is shown to be an important reason for the enhancement of the QEO response of KTN crystals through the promotion of the strain-induced QEO response. This study provides guidance for clarifying the origin of the QEO properties of nanodisordered KTN crystals and is beneficial for further improving the EO properties of perovskite crystals by manipulating the strain behavior.

Impedance spectroscopy investigation and structural characterization of yttrium and lithium modified Barium Strontium Titanate composite

Structural and Dielectric characterization of lead free (Y0.5Li0.5)0.1Ba0.7Sr0.2TiO3 electro-ceramic is reported in this communication. The solid solution was synthesized using carbonates and oxides via a solid-state mixed oxide technique. Calcination was carried out at 1400 °C for 12 h and XRD measurement was carried out to confirm the crystal phase. Lattice parameter were calculated from the refined X-ray diffraction data and the crystallite size was calculated following Debye Scherrer’s equation, Williamson Hall and Haldar Wagner Method. Calcined powder was pelletized and sintered at 1400 °C for 2 h for further dielectric measurements. Dielectric characterization was carried out on the sintered sample from room temperature to 350 °C to investigate the ferroelectric to paraelectric phase transition characteristics. Activation energy (Ea) and ionic conductivity (σ̥) of the Y and Li co-modified Barium Strontium Titanate at discrete frequencies are discussed.

A notable reversible thermochromic (3,3-difluoropyrrolidinium)2[CuCl4] with ferroelectricity and ferroelasticity

The design and fabrication of sensitive and reversible thermochromics (TCs) remain challenging although they own enormous applications. Especially, there is a tough task to introduce multifold physical properties to them. Here, a temperature-response organic–inorganic metal halide hybrid (OIHM) (3,3-Difluoropyrrolidium)2CuCl4 ((DFP)2CuCl4) 1 is fabricated, utilizing a self-assembly method based on Cu2+ inorganic salt and fluoropyrrolidinium dexterously. It possesses two reversible phase transitions (PTs) comprising a ferroelectric to paraelectric PT at 194 K and a ferroelastic to paraelastic PT at 351 K. The ferroelastic and ferroelectric properties are mainly derived from the order–disorder transitions in the microstructure and the displacement of the charge center. Importantly, the high-temperature structural phase transition is accompanied by a reversible color change. Its crystals can be directly applied in reversible thermochromic materials, exhibit an obvious color change (green to yellow–brown at 351 K) with full reversibility, and are successfully used as inks for hand-painting. To the best of our knowledge, 1 is the first Cu(II)-based OIMH TC with both ferroelectricity and ferroelasticity. This work laid the foundation for further development of alternative TCs, ferroics and practical applications for TCs.

Unveiling the strain and structural ferroelectric phase transition induced by temperature in lead titanate perovskite modified with 40% of calcium

Structurally correlated ferroelectric phase transitions induced by temperature are reported for the solid solution Pb0.6Ca0.4TiO3 compound. Such phase transitions were analyzed by considering different parameters, such as lattice parameters, microstrain, dielectric properties, and thermal analysis. Synchrotron x-ray diffraction and Rietveld refinement studies revealed a tetragonal symmetry from room temperature up to ∼550 K and uniaxial microstrain from room temperature to ∼400 K. The first thermally driven phase transition observed was from displacive ferroelectric tetragonal symmetry to another non-displacive tetragonal symmetry. The next phase transition was from the tetragonal to cubic. The electric permittivity as a function of temperature for frequency from 1 kHz to 1 MHz and the differential scanning calorimetry report features typical of ferroelectric–paraelectric phase transition only around 400 K, and no other abrupt change in properties is observed at 550 K, indicating the sequence of first- and then second-order phase transition.

Investigation of the thermal and ferroelectric properties of a Spin-1 Ising thin film: Insight from path integral Monte Carlo

In this work, we provide an analysis of the thermal and ferroelectric properties of an Ising thin film in a transverse field extended for a higher spin (σ=1) within the Quantum Monte Carlo method. For this purpose, several underlying physical quantities were examined in detail including the longitudinal polarization, pyroelectric coefficient, internal energy, and entropy change. This work unravels also a particular contribution of the transverse field Ω/J and surface coupling Js/J on the aforementioned physical quantities, which have significant implication on the phase transition temperature Tc. The polarization values are kept almost unchanged at a low temperature. Furthermore, the peaks corresponding to the entropy change ΔS are broad, and usually occur in a narrow temperature at their corresponding Tc, and result an enlargement of their magnitude upon increasing the external electric field and ultimately their maxima. Meanwhile, a change regarding the interfacial coupling Jint does not significantly affect ΔS and thus Tc. A typical hysteresis behavior is observed to confirm the ferroelectric–paraelectric phase transition.

Temperature‐ and stress‐dependent electromechanical properties of phase‐boundary‐engineered KNN‐based piezoceramics

AbstractThe influence of stress on the small‐signal dielectric permittivity and piezoelectric coefficient of polycrystalline lead‐free perovskite 0.92(Na1/2K1/2)NbO3–(0.08 − x)Bi1/2Li1/2TiO3–xBaZrO3 (x = 0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, and 0.07) was characterized under different constant uniaxial stress up to −200 MPa within a temperature range of −150 to 450°C, revealing stress‐induced suppression of the electromechanical response as well as shifts in the phase boundaries. For all compositions, the interferroelectric and ferroelectric–paraelectric phase transitions were shifted to higher temperatures under the uniaxial compressive stress. Interestingly, the sensitivity to the applied stress was found to increase with increasing BZ/BLT ratio in the system. The origin of a different extent of stress‐sensitivity with BZ/BLT ratio is suggested to be related to the change in the crystal structure. Additionally, at temperatures below −50°C, the relative permittivity showed a significant increase under applied compressive stress.

New Room-Temperature Molecular Ferroelectric (C6H16N2O)CdBr4·H2O with Preferable Luminescent Properties

Organic–inorganic hybrid materials are easy to modify, which makes it possible to construct multifunctional ferroelectrics directionally and apply the built-in electric field and switching properties of ferroelectrics to multidisciplinary fields. Particularly, the coupling of photoluminescence and ferroelectricity in a single hybrid material facilitates its novel applications in lighting sensors, memory devices, and other multifunctional applications. Based on the photoluminescent molecule 4-(2-aminoethyl) morpholine (AEM), here, a room-temperature ferroelectric (C6H16N2O)CdBr4·H2O (AEM-CdBr4) is designed and obtained, which crystallizes in a polar orthorhombic space group of Pca21. A reversible ferroelectric–paraelectric phase transition was confirmed at 353 K through experimental results, such as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curves, variable-temperature Raman spectroscopy, and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The crystal exhibits ferroelectricity at room temperature with a saturation polarization of approximately 8 μC/cm2. The photoluminescence of compound AEM-CdBr4 is mainly derived from the monomeric fluorescence emission of the AEM molecule and is not directly related to the energy band structure of the crystal. This room-temperature molecular-type ferroelectric AEM-CdBr4 with photoluminescence will provide new ideas for the design of new multifunctional ferroelectrics.

Structural, optical dielectric and ferroelectric properties of double perovskite BaBiFeTiO6

The polycrystalline BaBiFeTiO6 (BBFTO) ceramic is synthesized by a high-temperature solid-state reaction route. According to X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Rietveld refinement analysis, the compound is cubically ordered and belongs to the Fm-3 m space group. The universal Scherrer's formula was used to calculate the average crystallite size of 55 nm. Scanning electron micrographs (SEM) show non-uniform distributions of dense micro grains of average grain size of 150 nm. Tauc equation and diffuse reflection spectra were used to determine the absorbance and reflectance optical bandgap as 2.15 eV and 2.25 eV, which supports the possible usage in photocatalytic applications. The P-E hysteresis loop revealed the compound has room temperature (RT) ferroelectric property with higher remnant polarization, 2Pr = 1.93µC/cm2, thus can be useful in ferroelectric memory devices. The material experiences ferroelectric to a paraelectric phase transition, Td > 410 °C, Curie point, Tc > 490 °C and RT dielectric constant, ɛr = 1149 at 100 Hz, hence can be used as a dielectric material in multi-layered ceramic capacitors.

Evidence of cholesterol crystallization along with smectic layers in ferroelectric liquid crystal

We report the crystallization of cholesterol (concentration in ethanol 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg/dl) in combination with ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) in the form of cholesterol needles. This has been investigated by dielectric spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and texture analysis through optical micrographs. The foremost impression of adding cholesterol is observed with a reduction in the relative dielectric permittivity value and ferroelectric (chiral smectic C, SmC∗) to paraelectric (chiral smectic A, SmA∗) phase transition temperature with increasing concentration of cholesterol in FLC. In higher concentrations of 300 and 400 mg/dl, crystallized needles have been observed as a result of the supersaturation state of cholesterol in FLC matrix. Texture analysis has revealed that these needles are optically birefringent. Elongation of needles is found to be perpendicular to the FLC molecular director, and hence parallel to the smectic layers also. Temperature dependent investigation has shown that cholesterol-based needles disappear gradually with temperature and has not been observed in nematic and isotropic phases of the material. The results have confirmed that the lines are not only the supersaturation of cholesterol only but it is the composition of both cholesterol and FLC material. This is because when these needles disappear in SmA∗ phase the focal conic domains appear there. The understanding of the behavior of the cholesterol addition on the properties of FLC could be helpful in exploring the possibilities of using FLC as a sensing element in the biosensing of cholesterol and other molecules.