Ferroelectric and piezoelectric nanomaterials-basic properties, characterization and applications

Abstract

Electroceramics have a wide range of applications and are a subject of extensive research activities in the fields of ion-conductivity (such as batteries and sensors), electrical insulators (substrates and multilayer integrated circuit packages), semiconductors (sensors), and superconductors. Among the electroceramic materials, ferroelectric and piezoelectric nanomaterials are technically the most challenging. They are known for their unique properties, such as high dielectric constant, as well as high piezoelectric constants, and are used in multilayer capacitors or as microwave devices within wireless communication systems. In addition, perovskite ferroelectric nanomaterials show potential for applications related to solar energy conversion and the production of storage memory devices. Ferroelectric films as functional materials are being extensively explored for various microsensor and microactuator applications, some of them being suitable for biomedical engineering. The most widely investigated perovskite ferroelectric and piezoelectric nanomaterials include BaTiO3, SrTiO3, PbZrTiO3 along with suitable dopants and multiferroic oxides, and ZnO. In this review, the main concept of ferroelectricity in perovskite oxides and related nanomaterials is discussed. Fundamentals of ferroelectric nanomaterials, including size effects of ferroelectric nanomaterials properties and phase transitions are summarized. A detailed discussion on the synthesis, fabrication, nanostructure characterization of ferroelectric and piezoelectric nanomaterials such as BaTiO3, SrTiO3, and ZnO is presented. Progress in the research of ferroelectric perovskite oxide in nanometers scale is also highlighted.