Six-Fold Vertices in a Single-Component Organic Ferroelectric with Most Equivalent Polarization Directions

Journal of the American Chemical Society
Yong AiYuan-Yuan Tang

Abstract

Topological defects such as vortices in ferroelectric materials are attracting tremendous interest because of their splendid possibilities for unique physical phenomena and potential applications in nanoelectronic devices. However, reports of the vortex structure have been scarce in organic ferroelectrics, which are highly desirable for their mechanical flexibility, easy and environment-friendly processing, and low acoustical impedance. Here, we successfully observed the robust triangular domains in a single-component organic ferroelectric, 2-(hydroxymethyl)-2-nitro-1,3-propanediol (1), six of which can form a 6-fold vertex domain structure. To our knowledge, it is the first time that such an intriguing topological vortex gets experimentally confirmed in ferroelectrics. Moreover, the symmetry change of 1 with an Aizu notation of m3mF1 leads to the most 48 crystallographically equivalent polarization directions among all ferroelectrics. With those benefits and excellent piezoelectric properties, compound 1 shows great potential as a reconfigurable electronic element or a mechanical sensor for soft robotics, flexible and wearable devices, and biomachines.

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Citations

Jun 4, 2021·Chemical Society Reviews·Han-Yue ZhangRen-Gen Xiong
Dec 17, 2020·Journal of the American Chemical Society·Yuan-Yuan TangRen-Gen Xiong
Aug 24, 2021·Journal of the American Chemical Society·Yuan-Yuan TangRen-Gen Xiong

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